The Tomb Was Empty – So What?

Main Point: Jesus is alive and well and inviting all of us to a relationship with him

Matthew 28

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

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.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28

Was the tomb every occupied?

Was the tomb actually empty?

Why was the tomb empty?

What does the empty tomb mean for us?

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. —(1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

If the tomb isn’t empty, and Jesus is in the grave, then…
• Death defeated Jesus
• Our faith in him is pointless
• We have not been forgiven of our sins
• Those who have died are without hope
• Living for Jesus in this life is a waste

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. —(1 Corinthians 15:20-26)

If the tomb is empty and Jesus has been raised from the dead, then…
• He did what he said he would do and we can trust every word he spoke
• Sin has been paid for and we are forgiven by God through faith in Christ
• In Christ we will all be made alive and live forever
• Jesus is going come back, just as he said he would
• All who have died in Christ will be resurrected to new life and return with him
• All of his enemies, including death and sin and evil forces will be vanquished
• Jesus is going to rule over everything
• Death itself will die

If Jesus has been raised from the dead and we have placed our faith and trust in him, then we have a message and a mission

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —(Matthew 28:18-20)

Takeaway: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6)