The Proof that God Dying Destroyed Death for Us

Resurrection Sunday

March 31, 2013

The Proof that God Dying Destroyed Death for Us

Luke 24:7

The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners,

be crucified and on the third day be raised again.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Why did an angel come down and roll away the huge rock that had sealed Jesus' tomb? As Jesus proved easily that same night, walls and doors were not an issue to His coming and going. So why move the rock?

It wasn't so that He could get out; it was so that they could look in! He sent His happy angels to tell His sad and scared friends that He was alive—this was the news that would take away their fear. The angel declared to the women at the tomb:

“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.” (Matthew 28:5-8)

The empty tomb lay before their eyes—it was the proof that His dying on His cross had destroyed Death itself once and for all. For them. For us.

The empty cross hadn't brought them joy. But now because of His empty tomb, the cross of Christ's crucifixion was the source of all joy and goodness and gladness. Death had been conquered by His death. And the proof of His accomplishment was that He was alive.

This is the center of it all. This is the Main Thing. Jesus died and He rose. Jesus died and He rose. Jesus died and He rose.

He had the stone removed so that this joyful fact became a part of human history and public record.

Do you it possible that the only humans to visit the tomb were those faithful women and a couple of bewildered apostles? I can't prove it with Scripture, but we know what happened in those days that followed. That tomb was the destination for the curious and the faithful and the skeptics.

That dying God on a tree is a part of history.

His empty tomb is too.

What does this mean for you? It means that your resurrection is also a part of history as well. It hasn't happened yet, but it is as good as done. All for the sake of Christ's death that defeated Death.

The proof of His victory on Friday is that unobstructed Sunday grave that revealed that it had failed to keep God inside.

God has washed us clean, declared us forgiven, and feeds us His own body and blood. How could Death have any lasting hold on us after all that He has done for us?

He's risen!

He's risen indeed!

Alleluia!

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.