Three women (Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Salome) went to minister to the body of Jesus. It is apparent they did not know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had done so on Friday (John 19:38-42). These ladies were also concerned with who they might get to roll the stone away.
However, when they arrived, the stone was already rolled away. They encountered someone looking like a young man as they entered the tomb. They were told that Jesus had been raised from the dead and that He was not there. Jesus had already started to go show Himself to others after His resurrection.
I dare say none of us have ever seen someone who has been resurrected from being dead. We have gone to funerals, said our final goodbyes, and had no thought the person would come back to life in a few days. So, we can only imagine what it would be like to go to the cemetery, find an empty grave, and to be told the person was both alive and no longer there.
The significance of the empty grave cannot be overstated. Christianity is the only religion in all the world who has a risen Savior. No other religion makes such a claim. Not only that, but within two to three decades after the resurrection, some of the apostles and other followers were being martyred for their belief and faith in Jesus’ resurrection. May God bless us with a faith that strong and that compels us to tell others of His resurrection.
I pray each one of us will ask God to strengthen our faith. I pray we see the empty grave as an amazing sign of God’s power. I pray each one of us are willing to tell others about Jesus’ resurrection. Know the grave is empty. Know that Jesus is alive today. Ask God to increase your faith. Tell others about Jesus’ resurrection.
Mark 16:5-6 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.”
Marty Pressey 