It was before daybreak when the women walked out through the city gates and up into the graveyard. As they walked through the tombs, their minds doubtless saw all sorts of imaginary figures dancing round them in the eerie early light. Nevertheless they pressed on to the grave of their loved one. Mary Magdalene led the way.
As they neared the tomb, "behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: There were hardened Roman soldiers guarding the tomb: of them we read, "for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men."
Fear must also have been felt by the women, because the angel said, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
"Jesus rose again! His body had not decayed, but still it had been dead. And by the power of God, before the sun had risen, His dead body was quickened. The silent heart began again to beat; and through the stagnant canals of the veins, the life-flood began to circulate. The soul of the Redeemer again took possession of the body, and it lived once more." (C. H. Spurgeon)
He had really died. Of this, there were many reliable witnesses, especially the soldiers. As a dead man, they took Him down from the cross, rolled the great stone over the grave’s mouth, and left Him, knowing beyond doubt He was dead.
On Friday morning, His body was safe in the tomb." On Sunday morning His body was gone. He had risen from the dead.
● Was Christ a good man?
Read for yourself - "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"
● Why did such a good man have to die?
He died for our sin, yours and mine – not for any sin He had done. The Bible teaches, "Christ did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth". Concerning death, the New Testament says, “the wages of sin is death." Christ never sinned, but took our sin upon himself, taking the punishment for our sin satisfying God's law.
● Why did Christ rise from the grave?
The New Testament says, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". By His resurrection He conquered death, and sinners receive everlasting life.
● How does this apply to us?
Let us look at our lives carefully. Have we not broken at least one of God's laws? If so, then we are sinners. To sinners Peter the Apostle said, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." We must turn from our sins with sorrow of heart. We have offended God and broken His law. We must look to Christ in trust, knowing and believing that He died our death to take away our sin. But He did not stay dead. He rose from the tomb, overcoming death. He is a living, life-giving Saviour.