Matthew 28:6
An empty tomb made for the most powerful theme of the Christian message. An empty tomb for us speaks of the begetting of a lively hope. It tells in an obviously splendid manner, that the resurrection of the dead – the most glorious resurrection back into life had taken place. An empty tomb tells us that death has given way to victory! Death was seriously “knocked out,” defeated and decimated. The apostle Paul strikingly made this point crystal clear when he stated, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (the cross)” (Col. 2:15).
The fact is by itself the empty tomb remains one of Christianity’s most enduring images, but it must also be quickly acknowledged, that by itself the empty tomb signifies very little. Our message of the empty tomb is accompanied by a message or comes in association with a message-proof. It represents proof of the message that He is risen from the dead and “. . . ye shall see him . . . (Matt. 28:7).
The breaking news from the angel was “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead – and behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you” (Matt. 28:6,7). So, for us, it is not just an empty tomb but an empty tomb, in connection with a live, risen body which could be seen, felt, touched, and encountered. Therefore, in true apostolic tradition we continue to affirm and proclaim that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:34) and showed himself to be alive after his passion by many infallible proofs . . . (Acts 1:3). This remains the central tenet of our faith – that He is risen from the dead, now seated at the right hand of the Father, Far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:20,21). It is an empty tomb because of a raised-up Messiah who lives after the power of an endless life.
Here, we do not preach fictions or myth or fairy tales or interpsychic experiences or make-belief happenings when coming to the doctrine of the resurrection of our precious Lord and Savior. We preach reality. We preach He is alive from the dark halls of death. We declare He is alive from the regions beyond, loosed from the pains of death, free from the abysmal corruption of the underworld, and clothed with absolute power to tear down every stronghold and to exterminate the forces of darkness forever.
Today because He lives, we too can declare that we have been saved by the power of His endless life – resurrected into deliverance, changed from the inside, renewed and restored, raised up to live in Him, revived to have life and to have it more abundantly – healed to tell others – called to proclaim it – sanctified to live it – filled to be witnesses – commissioned to be life-imparting, tongues-talking, devil-stomping disciples. Because He lives, we have the unshakable assurance that no man or demon can pluck us out of His hands (John 20:28,29). We have the power to burst out of our tombs, leaving the dirt, grave clothes, and former things behind. There is now new power in the church to break out and break loose and burst forth on every hand and side. May we seize the evangelistic power given unto us to heal sicknesses, cast out demons and deliver the oppressed. Because He lives, no weapon formed against us shall prosper for we have the power in Jesus’ mighty name. On this Easter we thank God that Jesus is Risen and the Tomb is Empty!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
April 8, 2023
