The Power of the Cross and the Empty Tomb

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not” here, but has risen. (Lk. 24:5,6)

The centrality of Christ’s death and resurrection will forever be the focal point of our salvation. Jesus died “for us”, in our place. Isaiah prophesied about this seven centuries before it happened: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:4,5) Can we realize the significance of this? They were my transgressions, but His wounds; my iniquities, but His chastisement; my sin, His sorrow; and His punishment brought my peace; His stripes won my healing. His grief, my joy. His death, my life.
There are many pictures in the scripture of what Christ accomplished with His death: example, reconciliation, and victory, to name three. This is true — and “good news” – only because King Jesus the crucified is no longer dead. He was risen from the grave. All the doubt that crashed in on the disciples as Jesus died was erased in a moment when the angel said to the women, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not” here, but has risen. (Lk. 24:5,6) If Christ had remained dead like any other “savior” or “teacher” or “prophet,” His death would have meant nothing more than yours or mine. Death’s waves would have closed in over Him just as they do over every human life, every claim He made would have sunk into nothingness, and humanity would still be without hope of being saved from sin. But when His breath entered his resurrected lungs again, when resurrection life electrified His glorified body, EVERYTHING JESUS CLAIMED WAS FULLY, FINALLY, UNQUESTIONABLY, AND IRREVOCABLY VINDICATED.
Paul rejoices in Romans 8 over Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for believers: Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is GOD who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died – more than that, who was raised who IS at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:33-34) What an amazing reality – that the man Jesus now sits in splendor at the right hand of His Father in heaven, reigning as King of the universe! Not only so, but He is even now interceding for people, even as we wait for His final and glorious return.
He was the firstfruits of the resurrection; He literally conquered death. And because He lives, we too can live …we too have that promise of resurrection power here, and hope of eternal life. “Thank you, Father, for such a perfect plan that enables us to continually walk in victory day by day, and make it ours by simple faith in Christ and what He accomplished for me on the Cross, and in the empty tomb. Amen”