The Empty Sepulchre
John 20:1 says, “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”
When Mary came to the place where Jesus was buried, “it was yet dark.” She saw that the sealed stone (Mt 27:66), was “taken away from the sepulchre.” She immediately ran to find Peter and John (v. 2), and told them what happened. Upon their arrival back to the tomb, they saw “the linen clothes lying” (v. 5), but the body of Jesus was not in it! John first saw it “and believed” (v. 8), that Jesus is “is risen from the dead” (Mt 28:7). Both Peter and John returned home (v. 10), but Mary stayed outside the tomb “weeping” (v. 11).
She loved our Lord because of her deliverance from a life of dreadful sin; out of whom Jesus “had cast seven devils” (Mk 16:9). She showed her wholehearted devotion to the One Who changed her life. Thereby setting a great example for all of God’s children. Every soul that has been delivered from the wretchedness of sin (Ps 40:2), and washed “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19), will also love Jesus (Jn 14:21)! If you have truly trusted Him as your Lord and Saviour by faith (Rom 5:1), then you need to stop for a moment and reflect upon His great love and amazing grace in turning your life around (2 Cor 5:17).
Mary was weeping because all she saw was an empty tomb. It never dawned on her the greater truth that Jesus is alive because He “is risen” (Mk 16:6)! If Jesus did not conquer death, then we would all be “most miserable” (1 Cor 15:19). Sadly, many professing believers today live as if Jesus is still dead. They don’t have any joy or passion to worship and serve the living Saviour Who showed His great love for us by dying on the cross (Rom 5:8). Let me just remind you that there was indisputable evidence of an empty tomb (Lk 24:6), because Jesus is “alive for evermore” (Rev 1:18)! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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