Empty Tomb

                                  
Author Phillip Yancey tells the story of a strange funeral he attended recently where friends and family gathered around a casket.  There was no singing.  No words were spoken.

But at a prescribed time, everyone was given a peppermint.  You were instructed to suck on the peppermint until it dissolved and then quietly walk away.  It was intended to be a metaphor of life.  We live and we die, and that’s it.  We just dissolve back into the universe.

Erase Easter and there is no hope of heaven, no streets of gold, and no eternity without mourning, sadness or pain.  Without the resurrection we have no hope of seeing our loved ones again someday.  This physical life is it.  This is as good as it gets, so we better make the most of it.

The bottom line is that if you erase Easter, you erase hope.  The good news this morning is that Easter is real.  The tomb is empty and Jesus is alive.  It’s not just a myth.  It’s not just a story.  It is a historical fact, verified by numerous witnesses.  The apostle Paul says He appeared to over 500 at one time.  You can read about it in I Corinthians 15: 3-8.

I heard this morning on the radio that beautiful song by Nicole Mullen, “Redeemer”.  I nearly had a shouting spell as I thought about the message of that song.

​Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer
 
He lives to take away my shame
And He lives forever I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and there’s an empty grave.
 
I trust that you “know” that personally this morning.  The empty tomb makes all the difference.  Let’s celebrate!  And let’s proclaim the good news!  He lives!
 
Have a great week!
Pastor Barry
 
 
If you would like to comment or if you have questions for Pastor Barry you may direct those to bglawson75@gmail.com.   We would love to hear from you.