Easter Sunday

The angel rolled the stone away; the tomb is empty

April 21, 2019, is designated as Resurrection Sunday. On this day, Christians all over the world commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, despite what the critics say, Jesus’ resurrection was not a myth. He has risen, and the tomb is empty.

After more than two thousand years, scientists have yet to unearth any remains that they have verified as that of the crucified Christ.

That the tomb is empty speaks volume. It means Jesus has risen from the dead and the Christian faith is on solid rock. Hence, the argument that the disciples stole the body is hogwash.

Besides, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved was the only one who witnesses the crucifixion. The rest went into hiding. Furthermore, the Romans had doubled the security around the tomb. Plus, they placed a large stone at the entrance of the tomb.

Matthew 28 New King James Version (NKJV)
He Is Risen
28 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. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone [a]from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.


5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; th

ere you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy andgrant to bring

His disciples’ word.

He is not here, He is risen, just as He said

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-21:25.

After the Romans had crucified Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea had Christ‘s body placed in his own tomb. A large stone covered the entrance and soldiers guarded the sealed tomb. On the third day, a Sunday, some women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome are all mentioned in the gospel accounts) went to the tomb at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus.

bth_easter-empty-tomb[1]

A powerful earthquake took place as an angel from heaven rolled the stone back. The guards shook in fear as the angel, dressed in bright white, sat upon the stone. The angel announced to the women that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, “He has risen, just as he said.” Then he instructed the women to check the tomb and see for themselves. Next he told them to go tell the disciples. 

With a mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel’s command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”

When the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests, they bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money, telling them to lie and say that the disciples had stolen the body in the night.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the women near the tomb and afterwards at least twice to the disciples while they had gathered at a house in prayer. He visited two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and he also appeared at the Sea of Galilee while some of the disciples were fishing.

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