Thursday, April 1, 2010

Rolled Away To Let Us In

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground but the men said to them. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words. – Luke 24:1-8

Although the above passage of scripture concerning the empty tomb is from the book of Luke, I love reading the account in the other three gospels, too. Please take time to look them up and read: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-7; John 20:1-18.

There are several things we could talk about and dwell on in these passages: (1) Jesus was true to His word – He rose on the third day; (2) The tomb is empty – We serve a risen and living Lord and Savior. I like the fact that the stone was rolled away. The women and the disciples were able to see for themselves that their Lord had risen “just as He said.” You see the stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out it was rolled away to let us in. What a testimony (witness) the women and the first disciple had in telling of that experience.

Bottom Line: May we all know that the stone was rolled away for us to look in and to see that indeed – “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Hallelujah!

Love in Christ,

Morris

P.S. I want to share with you the words of a hymn I remember singing as a child.

He Lives
By Alfred H. Ackley

I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.