He Is Not Here . . .

“But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5,6).

In the early hours of that memorable Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James) went to visit the tomb where Jesus Christ was buried to anoint His body with spices. When they arrived at the tomb they noticed the very large stone which was placed at the entrance had been rolled back.

Upon entering the tomb, the women were amazed to see the stone rolled back and an angel of the Lord sitting on it. “And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 16:6-7). What gracious words “He has risen; he is not here!” 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the cornerstone of the Christian faith because it clearly demonstrates that Jesus, by His death, conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. “Christ. Being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9). 

Christ’s resurrection is also evidence that there is life after death. The Scripture says. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). “Fallen asleep” means died.

The Scriptures provide infallible proofs that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was not only predicted but it actually took place. The historical Job in the Bible was aware that the resurrected Jesus Christ lives. He said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself.” (Job 19:25-27). 

Job’s words are noteworthy, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” What joyful confidence Job had. This should be an inspiration to all Christians today. Bear in mind Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection. When He visited the temple in Jerusalem where the Jews were doing business, they questioned Jesus’ authority to drive them out from the temple.  And they asked Him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” (John 2:18). Then Jesus responded, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19). However, Jesus was referring to the temple of His own body. John 2:21 makes that clear.

After His resurrection, Jesus personally appeared to various people on different occasions prior to His ascension to heaven where He is now seated at God’s right hand. In 1st Corinthians 15:3-8 the apostle Paul provides for us a list of witnesses to whom our risen Savior actually appeared. And note, “Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time.” (V: 6). One may ask, how can anyone have doubts about the resurrection of Jesus Christ when there is so much evidence?          

Christians the world over can greatly rejoice about Christ’s resurrection because there is now an empty tomb on earth and an occupied Throne in heaven. “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34). At God’s right hand is a position of power and authority.

Paul mentions the fact of Christ’s bodily resurrection with compelling reasoning that “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). 

This means that if Christ was not raised from the dead, there would be serious consequences. All preaching by the apostles would be a complete waste of time, with no spiritual value whatsoever. Also faith in Jesus Christ would amount to absolutely nothing because there would be no forgiveness of sins. 

But thanks be to God, Christ’s resurrection is indeed a glorious reality. Therefore, Paul is in a wonderful position to proclaim, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor. 15:20).

Robert Lowry appropriately wrote this beautiful Easter hymn about Christ’s resurrection:-