The Festival of the Resurrection
April 20, 2025
(Matthew 28:5–7, NIV84) “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.””
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."
Doesn’t that say it all? The women who had seen him die and watched as Jesus’ lifeless body was placed into the tomb now saw an angel who told them he isn’t here.
Not “His body isn’t here”, which might suggest someone had stolen his lifeless body. But “He is not here.” Even in the use of pronouns the Word of God is clear and specific. “He”. The person. The living person. Not a corpse.
The women were expecting a dead body and wanted to honor Jesus by anointing his earthly body with spices to honor him and help take away the stench of death.
But there was no dead person in that tomb. Think of what that means for your body, dear Christian. Our bodies will decay but our soul is in heaven with Christ. On the day of judgement, your living Savior –not a man who died and whose body decayed in the tomb – will raise your body. He is the “firstfruits” of the Resurrection. If there were anyone around on Judgement Day to look for your dead, decayed body, they wouldn’t find it, even if you had died just hours before Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead.
Jesus rose from the dead, just as he said! Every Word of God is true! “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."
Prayer
Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, has overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life, grant that we may always thirst for the Fountain of Life, Jesus Christ. This we ask through that same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord. Amen
