The Grave is Empty - Jesus is Alive!

Luke 24:1-12 During the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus appeared eleven times, to various people in various places. He appeared several times to individuals and on one occasion to 500 people at once. It is certainly possible that He appeared more times, but there are eleven appearances recorded. I believe this served at least two important purposes. First, He was able to teach His disciples many things that they were not able or willing to understand before His death and resurrection. And second, also of great importance - because He was raised from the dead, we are given hope that we also will be raised from the dead. No longer does there need to be fear of the unknown on the other side of the grave. We don’t just die like dogs with nothing on the other side, nor do we have to look forward to everlasting torment. If we put our hand in His, He will carry us safely into His presence. The women who went to the tomb early Sunday morning were not thinking of any of these things. Someone whom they had come to love very deeply had needlessly and cruelly been put to death and they were coming to make sure that He was at least given a proper burial. Instead of finding a body that needed to be washed and wrapped with spices, they found an empty grave. The stone was rolled away, and two angelic beings gave them a personal announcement, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” It is hard to imagine the change, from profound grief to extreme joy. This is the message of Easter - The grave is empty! Our Jesus is alive! And He is coming back to get us. Praise His Holy Name!!