December 21 – Resurrection – The Empty Tomb

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. John 20:1-10 

The tomb was empty. Where was Jesus? Hallelujah. He is Risen.

The manger was empty. Joseph and Mary had taken Jesus to Egypt. Egypt is not exactly heaven—but it was a safe place for this young family. Where is your safe place? Do you know that no matter where you are, God is with you? He has promised us to “never leave us or forsake us” in Deuteronomy 31:6 and then repeated in Hebrews 13:5. I’ve mentioned this before, but it is a promise that we can claim…and it is good to remember every day—and for anyone who is afraid of the dark—remember that  God is with you and He is bigger than anything you could possibly be afraid of—a monster or dust ball menace hiding under your bed. God is our "safe place."  

So the two disciples, John and Peter, didn’t understand the scriptures, but they believed. Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead—even without seeing the empty tomb for yourself? I have seen the “empty tomb” or at least one like it in Jerusalem—but I believed in Jesus as my risen Savior before I waited in line to take my turn to step into the vacant burial crypt. Actually it was because I do believe that I went to Jerusalem to walk where my Savior walked—to experience the land in which He lived. The burial crypt where Jesus was supposedly laid to rest before His resurrection is in a peaceful, quiet garden. As people wait patiently for their turn to peek into the empty tomb they often quietly sing hymns and take communion. It epitomizes the song, “I Come to the Garden Alone”. I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses and the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me….  It is a solemn place—filled with hope. He is Risen. He is Risen indeed. 

As we get nearer to Christmas, may the joy of the resurrection fill your heart as you remember the real reason for the season.   

Dear Jesus—thank you for walking with me, reminding me that You are always with me, and that You cared enough about me…my family and friends…that You died for us…for our sins. I rejoice in remembrance of Your birth…and Your resurrection.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).