Dawn of the Third Day

Luke 24:1-6, “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee,”  

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:”  

The stone was rolled away to let witnesses in not to let Jesus out. The empty tomb vindicates every promise. Sin and death defeated. Satan disarmed and doomed. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a non-negotiable truth, and the greatest of truths. Without Christ’s resurrection, preaching is vanity, faith is futile, and Christians are, of all men, most miserable. But Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Because He lives, assurance pulsates through every gospel proclamation and every baptismal testimony. (Baptism pictures death, burial, and resurrection, not cleansing.) Resurrection morning reframes all suffering: present trials are temporary, future glory is certain. Lift your eyes from the crucifixion’s shadows to Resurrection Sunday’s sunrise. Rejoice, believer, because the same power that raised Jesus now dwells in you. Let’s ask our Lord to awaken or arouse our hope afresh today so that we may face each valley with resurrection certainty and contagious joy.