“He’s Not Here!”

The women who buried Jesus on Friday returned on Sunday morning. They brought spices and perfumes to anoint His body. What they found is the substance of Easter! There was no stone in front of the grave. There was no body within the grave. Instead, they found an angel proclaiming, “He is not here, for He is risen…” They found the first signs of the resurrection: an empty tomb, a burial cloth, folded shroud and an angel.

One thing that is not mentioned in scripture is that the empty tomb had a whole list of “I can’ts” that were sealed within the burial place forever. God took away our “I can’ts” – every one of them. Many say you can’t forgive someone. The reality is you can’t on your own, but with Christ, you can. Many say, “I can’t go on in this life,” but with Christ you can. I hear people say they have no reason to live, but when we turn to Christ for help – “God’s power is very great for us who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 1:19-21) This power will turn your “I can’ts” into “I cans.”

With Christ you can face the struggles filling your life. With Christ we can set our minds on the joy that awaits us. We can face the struggles of Friday and all the heartache and misery of the crucifixion. With Christ we can face the Saturdays. There will be silence, but be patient – Christ will come. With Christ we can celebrate Sunday. The same power that defeated death on the cross will give you “new” life. The real question here is – have you asked God to help you?

We have every reason to celebrate on this day after Easter. God will give you strength in this life and eternal joy in the next. All you need to do is ask God! Make this prayer a part of your Easter celebration.

Prayer – God, without you I can’t solve my problems. I can’t remove my sins or go to heaven. This Easter message reminds me that with You I can. I ask you to help me, cleanse me, and save me. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me the strength.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Pisit Heng, Kilarov Zaneit & Austin Schmid, courtesy of Unsplash