What the Women Did Not Find

 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;  and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, (Luke 24:1-6)

Easter.  The glorious celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, a celebration of the fact that no grave could contain Him and no stone could hinder Him.  A celebration of not what was found, but what was not found.  As the women approached the tomb, they found an empty tomb.  There was more to what they did not find than the fact they did not find the body of our Lord Jesus.  They did not find any blocked access.  The stone had been rolled away.  Do you know the story of the Tabernacle?  The Holy of Holies was separated from everything else.  Only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.  The place where God made His presence specially manifested among men.  With the stone being rolled away, that all changed.  Jesus became our High Priest.  Through Him, we have direct access to God.  Through Him, our relationship with God can become renewed.  Sin blocked our access to a relationship with God, but now through Christ’s death and His resurrection, that stone has been rolled away.  No longer is the access blocked.  Not only did they not find any blocked access, they did not find any broken promises.  Can you imagine the sadness of the disciples when they were told that their friend and mentor, the one they had left their nets and duties for to follow and to serve was going to die at the hands of men?  Now imagine what could go through your mind when told that he would die, only to come to life three days later.  The promise had been fulfilled.  The stone had been rolled away.  Death had been defeated and no longer held the power it once had.  Now the evidence of God’s promises to be fulfilled was stronger than ever.  He promised to be with you even through the most difficult time, at the tomb, the promise was not broken.  He promised to provide your needs to help you in your walk with Him, at the tomb, the promise was not broken.  He promised everlasting life to all who believe and accepted Him as Lord of their life, the tomb was empty and death had been defeated; the promise had been kept.  He promised to come back, the tomb was empty, and the promise was not broken.  As the women ventured to the tomb, they did not find any bragging devil.  There was nothing for Him to be brag about.  He thought victory was his.  The power of Christ was stronger than that of Satan.  Though he walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, victory had been achieved by a much more stronger lion, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  I can almost imagine the snickering of Satan as Christ drew His last breath on the old rugged cross of Calvary.  During the early morning hours of the first day of the week, Satan’s mood changed.  His victory party was over.  Christ conquered death, hell and the grave.  His redemption work was complete and the war was far from over.  Today, because of that empty tomb, hope is stronger than ever and the ultimate victory is drawing ever so closer.  Easter, the glorious celebration of what was not found at the tomb, is our source of hope and strength as we continue our daily journey to the grand prize.  It is through this resurrection that victory in our life will be won.  Do you know Him?  Have you thanked Him?  Our celebration and worship of Easter must not be once a year, but every day.