12 Apr Is the Tomb Still Empty?

It’s been a week since Christ-followers around the world celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. So, let me ask you a serious question: One week later, is His tomb still empty in your life? Let me explain my purpose in asking that question.

If we accepted Jesus Christ, our lives are defined by His empty tomb. Jesus’ victory over death and sin gives our lives meaning. The empty tomb is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Accepting the fact that the tomb is empty is what makes the presence of the Holy Spirit possible in us. Accepting the empty tomb means:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

How can we know those things are true of us? How do we know we are a new creation? How do we know we are not condemned? How can we know that the empty tomb is the center of our lives? The tomb is empty when:

• We worry less each passing day.
• We anger less each passing day.
• We give in to temptation less each passing day.
• We come to serve more and be served less each passing day.

You see, we can’t accept the empty tomb and worry as much as we used to, get angry as much as we used to, let the things of this world rule our lives the way we used to, put ourselves before others the way we used to.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he allowed him to lie for four days in his tomb. Jewish tradition said that after three days, the person was confirmed dead. Jesus wanted all to know that Lazarus was dead and that He brought him back to life. Rising on the third day, Jesus left no doubt that He is alive!

So, how do you determine whether you are living life as though the tomb is empty? I recommend these:

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Do you love God above all else? Do you trust Him with everything? Do you produce the fruit of the Spirit in abundance? Is there more of Jesus and less of you every day? These are all indications that the empty tomb is the center of your life. You won’t be perfect at any of these things, but when it’s your heart’s desire to be growing in all of them, you can be assured the tomb is still empty in your life!

Pastor Jerry Bader