The Empty Tomb

Matthew 28:1-8 (New King James Version) “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come; see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

The above story is amazing. Now imagine the two women after hearing the good news, continued looking for Jesus inside the tomb. They wouldn’t have found him there and they would have remained unhappy, lonely and disappointed.

When Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, our old sinful nature that brought diseases, poverty and bondages was nailed to that cross with him. In the tomb, our old sinful nature was with him. When he rose from the dead we rose with him as a new man, a new creation. He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father which is a place of authority and we are seated together with him. So when we as Christians have issues or challenges in our lives, the best place for us to focus on is the throne of God. This is because he has overcome for us. When we look unto him we find victory.

Hebrews 12:2 (New King James Version) “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

When you continue to look at the problem instead of the solution, then unconsciously you are looking at the empty tomb. There cannot be any solution in the empty tomb and so focusing on it is a futile exercise. When the children of Israel were bitten by snakes in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole so that anyone who looks up at the serpent would not die. Some of them continued to look at their wounds and they died. As many as focused their attention on the bronze serpent lived. The action that Moses took was in response to the word of God.

In every circumstance and situations, the word of God must be our focus. Whatever he has said about your situation is the truth. What you might be seeing now might be contrary to the word of God. It might be the fact, but it is only the truth that can set you free. Continue to speak the truth and focus on Jesus and your deliverance is sure.

Acts 2:23-24 (New King James Version) “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”

It was not possible for the chains of death to hold Jesus down. As he is, so are you in this world (1John 4:17). It is not possible for the chains of death, sickness, poverty, slavery, condemnation, sin, shame, bitterness, to hold you down. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is working within you. Set your mind on Christ and all that he has accomplished for you.

Enjoy the blessings of God