He is Risen

It is important to remember that as the women walked to the tomb on “the dawning of the third day” they expected only to find a dead body. They hoped for nothing more.

Mark says they were met by a young man in a white robe. Matthew says he was an angel whose appearance was like lightning, his clothing white as snow. John says it was two angels. Luke says it was two men in dazzling clothes.

Each account is different. No two of us ever describe the same episode in the same terms. What is universally affirmed, however, is the basic fact of the empty tomb. That never varies. As William Barclay said, nothing so wonderful as the resurrection can escape a certain enhancement as it is repeatedly told and retold.

The tomb was empty! Jesus was not there. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” the women were asked. “He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5)

Thanks be to God who gave Jesus and gives us the victory that we may rise in newness with him!

Steve Langhofer

Steve is the Senior Pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church. He can be reached at SteveL@visitasbury.org.