Matthew 28: 5 – 7A “The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross.  But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was. And go quickly and tell his followers Jesus has risen from death.’”

There are universal phrases every parent dreads. “I need a frog costume for school tomorrow,” or “My stomach hurts,” can make even the strongest of parents shudder. My personal words of distress are, “It’s Empty.” Almost daily, something turns up empty:  the milk jug, the gas tank, or heaven forbid, the toilet paper roll! Those simple words, “It’s empty” require I stop what I am doing and take care of it.

In contrast, the words, “It’s Empty,” fills believers with joy, offering hope of a resurrection and an eternal life with our loving Father. Our glorious, “It’s Empty!” story is found in all four gospels.

Jesus was crucified and all hope for a Messiah died with Him. No one could have imagined this was the plan of God. Evidence now pointed to the fact that Jesus was not who He claimed to be.

Women, loyal to Jesus, arrived early at the tomb on the third day. They anticipated anointing their crucified Savior but were startled by an angel instead. The angel informed them Jesus no longer inhabited the tomb. Instead, He was risen, just as He said He would!

Sensing their confusion and desire for affirmation, the angel instructed them, “Come and see.” Their view yielded nothing but emptiness. The angel then commanded them, “Go and tell.” Immediately, the women ran to share the Good News:

JESUS HAD RISEN!

Not even a horrendous death on the cross could defeat Jesus! In my mind, I picture a loving, grieving Father, the Great I AM himself, in that tomb bending over the lifeless body of His son to breathe life back into His lifeless body. (Acts 2:24) Surely another act of great sacrifice from a father anxious to welcome His son back home.

For Christians, the gloriously empty tomb solidifies our eternal hope. It confirms Jesus was indeed who He said He was: The Son of God, the Savior, the Redeemer, the Christ, the Lord and King.

“Come and see. Go and tell.”

Today, we are instructed to do likewise. When we come and see the Good News of the resurrected Christ in God’s Word, we, like the women at the tomb long ago, must go and tell. Those simple words, “It’s Empty!” are just too exciting to keep to ourselves.

Father, thank you for breathing human life back into your son allowing him to conquer death.

Blessings of Eternal Life,

Rita Cochrane