GETTING READY – Part 4

Scriptures from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20

Oh my gosh!

HAVE YOU HEARD?

THE TOMB IS EMPTY!

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “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.”

THE WOMEN

Although the Gospels differ on exactly which women and the number of women, they agree the women went to the tomb.  The women were not exactly sure how they were going to move the stone, but they were ready with spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  They were ready.  They were surprised!

I have imagined their walk to the tomb.  Words would have been spoken quietly.  Steps would occasionally hesitate.  Hearts would be remembering a gentle touch or a kind word.  Tears would be wiped from their cheeks.  And there would have been a shadow of fear.  To their surprise, there was an empty tomb.

THE ANGEL

Talk about getting ready.  I wonder if the angel rehearsed and rehearsed.  This speaking role ranked right up there with, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  Of all the messages ever delivered, this has to be at the top of the list:  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

The angel nailed it! 

GETTING READY

This series has been titled Getting Ready, but how do you get ready for an empty tomb?  There is not one thing logical about the empty tomb. 

Getting ready means we are to follow the example Jesus set when he instructed his disciples:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Getting ready means we are to pray as Jesus did:

Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Getting ready means we must understand how Jesus suffered if we are to find our way to the empty tomb:

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,

who was crucified.  He is not here.

Getting ready for our eternal life means we are to humbly accept the gift Jesus gave us when he said:  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

And all God’s people said, “Amen.”