He's Alive

Matthew 28:6 - He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.

There was an incredible story about finding the empty tomb. It was three days after Jesus' death. He was meant to be placed in a tomb for and with the criminals, but placed in the tomb of a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea. Prophecy: Isaiah 53:9 - And they made His grave with the wicked--but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.  Reality: John 19:38 - After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene went on the third day and saw that the stone was rolled away. She quickly ran to where Peter, John and other disciples were. Peter and John immediately ran to the place of the tomb. John got there first but did not enter. He only looked inside. When Peter arrived, being the impetuous man he was, he ran right in...he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. (Matthew 20:6-7) 

When John entered it is said, "He believed." Why was that? There are two thoughts here. One is the appearance of the grave clothes. They weren't just crumpled somewhere or tossed aside but still lying in place, minus a body, seemingly undisturbed. Two, the napkin that was about Jesus' head was folded. I think John and Peter both realized what Jesus had been telling them...He would rise from the dead. Only He could rise without disturbing the grave clothes. And what about that folded napkin?

Hebrew tradition states that when a slave sets his master's table he is to watch for a sign as to when to clear that table. Without a word, the master would crumple up his napkin and walk away. This meant he was finished. However, if the napkin was folded the master would return. So John believed...he believed what Jesus had been telling them...I must go but I will return. Do you see it? Their Master was Jesus and His napkin was folded neatly. He was going to return. And John understood and believed. He's alive.

And today we have that same assurance. Jesus will return. He will come back to claim His people some day. When He returns we will reign with Him on earth. There will be no evil penetrating our lives. Until that day, Jesus lives to continue drawing people to Him. He continues to heal the sick, raise the dead, cause the blind to see and the deaf to hear...but most importantly brings eternal life to all who believe, as John did. 

I'm sure all the disciples were just very confused by all that had just happened the past few days of Jesus' life. They claimed they believed He was the Son of God, they saw Him work miracles, but when it appeared He could not save Himself from this crucifixion, I'm sure they wondered. This can happen to us as well, believing but not absolutely sure...believing because we've been told to believe. Then, if and when we come into a true relationship with Christ, our spiritually blind eyes really see, our deaf ears really being to understand the truth, our sin-ravaged bodies are healed and we no longer have to fear the grave because we have been given the free gift of eternal life. As John did, in our spirits, in an instant, we know that we know and we believe. This is a promise to all who choose this relationship with a living God.

Revelation 1:18 - I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.