Matthew 28:1-7 - July 8, 2010
Matthew 28:1-7 - July 8, 2010
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Matthew 28:1-7
In the early hours of the morning, the women came to the tomb of Jesus. Carrying the grief of the crucifixion and the seeming loss of all they hoped for in a Savior, they were weary and discouraged. They were ready to settle for just anointing the dead body of Jesus. The Bible tells us that they began to discuss how they would gain access into the tomb of Jesus. Who would roll away the large stone that had been placed at the mouth of the sepulcher? How would they be able to anoint the body of Jesus? Surely they were not expecting to find the tomb open.
But it was open. God sent an angel to roll back the stone. It was not to let Jesus out but, rather, to show that Jesus was not there. He was gone. He had risen from death.
With the open tomb of Jesus, God proclaims that he accepted the sacrifice Jesus offered on the cross to pay for the sins of the world. Every person who ever lived, or ever will live, is invited to the open tomb to be assured that God has forgiven their sins through Jesus. Jesus' resurrection is the evidence of God's wondrous love for sinners. He not only lived for us and died to take the punishment for our sins, but he proved by his open tomb that all he promised is true—most importantly that as he lives, he gives life to all who come to him!
Dear Jesus, I rejoice at the good news of your resurrection for it is my assurance that you are my Savior from the condemnation of sin and the power of eternal death. Draw me to you that by the power of your resurrection I have life with God now and forever. Amen.
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