245 The Empty Tomb

Matthew 27:5766; Matthew 28:18; John 19:3842
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6

After Jesus Christ died, His followers laid His body in a new tomb carved out of rock. They rolled a great stone into place to close the entrance. The next day the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate, the Roman ruler. They remembered that Jesus had said He would rise from the dead, and they wanted to prevent someone from stealing Jesus' body and claiming He had been resurrected. To prevent this possible deception, Pilate ordered the door of the tomb sealed and posted guards around it. (See Matthew 27:5766; John 19:3842.)

The Jewish Sabbath passed while Roman guards kept watch over the sealed tomb. Just before dawn on Sunday the earth began to quake, and an angel of the Lord rolled back the huge stone from the entrance to Christ's tomb. The soldiers were stricken with fear and fell to the earth. (See Matthew 28:14.)

At first light Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus arrived at the tomb. The angel greeted the women and said: "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:56).

The angel invited the women to look into the empty tomb and asked them to tell the other disciples that Christ had risen from the dead. When they heard this joyful message, the women left quickly and ran to bring the disciples word. (See Matthew 28:68.)

Summary

After Jesus Christ died, His body was laid in a tomb carved out of a rock. A huge stone was rolled in front of the opening to the tomb. The Roman guards sealed the tomb and watched over it. Early Sunday morning an angel came and rolled back the stone from the opening. The guards were frightened and fell to the ground. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus came to the tomb. The angel greeted them, told them that Christ had risen as He promised He would, and invited them to look in the empty tomb. The women were filled with joy and went to tell Jesus' disciples.

Artist, Clark Kelley Price

© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA