Easter

Resurrection Sunday: The Significance of Jesus' Empty Tomb.

Resurrection Sunday: The Significance of Jesus’ Empty Tomb.

Resurrection Sunday: The Significance of Jesus’ Empty Tomb. April 5, 2026, is designated as Resurrection Sunday. On this day, Christians worldwide 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 those of the crucified Christ.

The empty tomb signifies Jesus has risen, affirming the Christian faith. The suggestion that the disciples stole the body is unfounded.

Besides, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was the only one who witnessed 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 tomb’s entrance.

Matthew 28: New King James Version (NKJV)

Resurrection Sunday: He Is Risen, the tomb is empty

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 is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed

11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 

12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 

13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 

14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 

15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 

17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 

19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

20 Teachthem to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The passion of Christ

Thankful Saturday: Isaiah 53:4-7

Surely Christ has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Still, we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
and He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement of our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes, we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
They oppressed, and afflicted Him,
but He opened not His mouth;
They led Him like a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
He opened not His mouth.

Do you think Christmas is bigger than Easter?

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Do you think Christmas is bigger than Easter?

This seems like an easy question to answer. However, opinions and contexts differ. For me, the answer is NO! And I am not the only one. Apparently, the Rev. Ray Pritchard agrees with me. Let us take a gander at what he wrote on his http://www.keepbelieving.com website.

In our society, there are two great religious holidays-Christmas and Easter. For most of us, Christmas is the bigger and greater season of the year. It is the time of year when we gather with family and friends to sing carols, decorate the tree, and exchange gifts. Christmas is the climax of the whole year. Easter? Well, for most people it is just another long weekend, another chance to get away for a few days.

Even Christians view Easter as a second-rate holiday!

Somehow we’ve gotten our thinking mixed up. If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning. If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He is just a misguided Jewish rabbi with delusions of grandeur. If Easter is not true, then Christmas was only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village, in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning.

Do You want proof? In all the New Testament, no major doctrinal point is ever built upon the virgin birth of Christ. Not one. It is true. It happened. But it is never discussed or mentioned. In fact, two gospels do not even say anything about it.

However, when it comes to the resurrection? That is a different story. In every part of the New Testament, it comes up again and again. Read the sermons of Acts. When the first Christians preached, they did not mention Bethlehem; they talked about the empty tomb. They never got over the fact that on Easter Sunday when they went to the tomb, Jesus was gone.