The Past is Dead Because He Died

Holy Week Meditation on Wednesday

Death to Life                                                  Luke 24:1-12

Grave yards are places we bury the past. We bury a lot more than bodies these days. We bury bad memories. We cover over hurt feelings, fears, anger, disappointments and shame. We bury them and roll a stone in front of the tomb hoping not to see them or hear from them again. Jesus wants to roll away the stone.

Some of us are alive physically, but we are dead emotionally. We look for life and the living among the dead. Old memories, past hurts and fears. We have pushed down so much that we don’t even know everything that is in there. We want to bury all the secrets of our life and forget they exist.

Jesus wants to give us new life. He wants to heal us and raise us. He wants to empty the tomb so there is nothing to hide, nothing to dread, and nothing to fear. He wants to release the death within us and breathe new life into us.

We cannot change the past but, in His strength, we can face it, so that He can release and cleanse us from it. It is the only way we can be truly free, and alive. The decision before us is whether to stay in our self-made tomb or rise with Christ to New Life.

Joe Valentino

Indeed!

Matthew 28:2 (NIV)
 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. 

The Miracle happened before the violent earthquake. Jesus came back to life, rose from the dead, before the earthquake. The quake merely opened the tomb so the followers could get in and look around not so Jesus could get out.  He had already risen and He stood outside the tomb!

Why is this important, what difference does it make? Perhaps not that much at first glance, but upon further consideration this is significant. The angel had nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection, the miracle took place before the angel's arrival.

The Heavenly Being was a messenger, an important part of the greatest and boldest announcement of all time.  "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6 (NIV)  

This angel was the first to share the Good News. We have an empty cross and an empty tomb! He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

Matthew 28:1-10

The Story - Chapter 27- The Resurrection

"His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow." (Matthew 28:3) 


Dear God,
As we move forward reading The Story today we find ourselves at the tomb, the empty tomb.  It is Tuesday of Holy Week and we are reminded that that journey is going to get difficult, but we will eventually arrive at the empty tomb.

Give your people courage to face this week with open hearts and minds.  Fill our Spirits with hopeful images and push us to face the difficult hours that lie ahead.  Father, teach us to pray with Your Son as we remember His garden moments of grief and pain. This week is all about Jesus.  This week is all about what He did for us.  This week is all about the empty tomb.


Read Matthew 28:1-10 here

Listen to Matthew 28:1-10 here

The Empty Tomb John 20:1-9

The stone at the entrance to the tomb is gone. Where is the body of Jesus? While it is still dark, Mary is running to Peter and John. She tells them that the tomb is empty. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”

Peter, who denied knowing Jesus, and John run quickly to the tomb to see what is happening. Their eyes settle on strips of linen lying inside the tomb. They see the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head neatly folded and laid aside. I can imagine a distressing stillness surrounding them.

Something happens to John and Peter as they stand peering into the empty tomb. It is said that John sees and believes. He believes Jesus is resurrected. John and Peter actually witness the resurrection through what they see in the tomb before it is written in Scripture as God's plan. How awesome, but overwhelming and confusing this experience must be!

As I read today's text, I find myself looking into the open tomb with John and Peter. I am a believer. I believe the tomb could not hold Jesus. I believe the evil in the world could not destroy the Truth of His resurrection. As at Easter, I raise my arms and say, "Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed!"

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Read today's text, John 20:1-9, on Biblegateway.