Easter is the pinnacle of the year for believers. Most Christians celebrated Easter last weekend. Orthodox Christians are celebrating this weekend. The first Christmas brought the Savior into our world. But the first Easter brought salvation into our world.
Empty cross
This is the message of Good Friday. Matthew (an eyewitness to that tragic day) tells us that “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb…” (Matthew 27:59-60). The cross was empty. No doubt it was re-used for the next criminal the Romans caught but it was empty of Jesus’ body.
The book of Hebrews tells us clearly that Jesus’ death was “once for all”. “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many…”(Hebrews 9:28). This truth is repeated one chapter later. “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) It didn’t have to be repeated like the normal Jewish sacrifices of animals. The sinless “Lamb of God” paid the price for all of us once for all.
The apostles Peter and Paul affirm the same truth. Peter wrote to early Christians, “For Christ also suffered once for sins…” (1 Peter 3:8). Paul wrote to believers in Rome, “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all…” (Romans 6:10).
Some believe the body and blood of Christ needs to be broken and shed repeatedly. This is not only unnecessary but unbiblical. “Once for all” means “once for all”!
Empty tomb
This is the message of Easter Sunday. Paul wrote that without the resurrection, our faith is “vain, futile and useless” (1 Cor. 15). Over the years, skeptics couldn’t resist trying to disprove it. Frank Morison tried but ended up writing a book called Who Moved the Stone? supporting the resurrection. Josh McDowell tried but changed his mind and wrote Evidence that Demands a Verdict. And (more recently), Lee Strobel tried and finally became a believer and authored The Case for Christ and The Case for Easter.
Scripture records that the angel said to the women at the empty tomb, “…He is not here, He is risen…” (Matthew 28:5).
Full hearts
This is the message for us and our generation (and every generation). So what if the cross and the tomb are empty? What difference does it make? The answer is: all the difference in the world!
The apostle John (another disciple and eyewitness to Jesus’ death and resurrection) wrote, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Two chapters later, he quotes Jesus who said, “I have come to give you life, and life to the full.” (John 10:10)
The world (meaning “not-yet-believers”) is seeking meaning and purpose for their lives, but looking in the wrong places. Jesus is the “bread of life” who alone satisfies our spiritual hunger for meaning and purpose. Jesus is the “living water” who alone satisfies our spiritual thirst for God and salvation.
The bottom line
The message of Easter is what the world needs to hear. It’s the reason why multitudes of believers have come to faith, pray, obey and witness so others can share the joy of their salvation.
Empty or full? Because the cross and the tomb are empty, you and I can be full and truly fulfilled.
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who used to be empty but now is full.
