He is risen

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. – Matthew 28.1-6

‘He is not here.’ This is yet another one of those amazing and almost incomprehensible sayings from the account of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Early on Sunday morning the women came to the grave to properly care for Jesus’ body in death. On the way there was another earthquake, and, unseen to the women, and angel came and rolled the stone sealing the tomb away. The breve guards panicked and ‘became like dead men.’

I can’t imagine being in the place of those women. What could they think? They heard the earthquake and saw the glowing angel just like to soldiers did. They saw the stone rolled way. I guess that they were probably just as afraid as the soldiers.

‘Don’t be afraid!’ a voice cried out. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus. He is not here, for He is risen just like He said.’

‘HE IS NOT HERE!!’

What wonderful words. But not only was He not there, but the angel explained why Jesus was not there – ‘He is risen!’

Death is beaten. Life is ours in Christ all because of those words ‘He is not here for He is risen.’

He is risen. He is risen indeed.