Day 12 - Empty Tomb

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Matthew 28:5-8

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. He said that no one had taken Jesus' body, but instead He had risen from the dead! The angel told them to go tell His disciples what they had seen, that Jesus was risen. Can you imagine their excitement? They ran all the way to tell the disciples the good news! "He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!"

Now after this Jesus appeared in person to Peter, the other disciples, and then to more than 500 people! Because Jesus appeared on different occasions to so many people - who saw Him with their own eyes and even touched Him - we have proof that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; John 20:27-28).

As He rose from the dead, Jesus did what no one had ever done before or since. Being both God and man, He overcame sin, death and hell. And now those things no longer have any real power over those who believe in Jesus and have His Spirit leading them. Instead of being slaves to sin and death, Christians, by the power of His Spirit, are free to obey God and do good (Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "so if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

Like the tomb, our hearts are empty and lifeless without Jesus. But as we repent, believe, and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection, He fills our hearts with life and the Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible and memorize God's Word, the Holy Spirit helps us obey God. God's Spirit never goes against His Word. When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives in powerful ways.

Of course, we won't always do the right thing. The Bible says this in 1 John 1:5-10. God's Word makes it clear that when we do sin, we need to confess our sins and then repent. God will forgive us based on Jesus' death on the cross.

Now, when you think of the empty tomb, remember that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. Remember too, that Jesus comes into empty, dead hearts and fills them with His Spirit, giving new life! Will you allow Him to roll the stone away from your empty heart?