Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

At dawn on Sunday, the morning after the Sabbath, the grieving women led by Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) went to the tomb where the body of Jesus of Nazareth was buried to anoint Jesus’ body with their burial spices. When the women arrived at the cemetery, they were astounded to see Jesus’ tomb open.  The heavy covering stone had been rolled away and the body of Jesus could not be found.  Their minds could not keep up with the events happening around them. What they were seeing could not be explained by reason or by prior experience.

The women’s faith-eyes needed sharpening to comprehend the miracle, which was before them. The angels responded with three clarifying questions:

▪ First, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  The women needed to change their expectations of what they were looking for in order to see the truth about Jesus.  What about you?

▪ Second, the angels declared, “He is not here. He is risen.”  Their seven words forever altered the course of history.  What do they mean to you?

▪ Thirdly, “Remember how He told you this would happen while you were in Galilee?” Jesus had prepared them for what they were now experiencing. But the women had not connected Jesus’ teaching of resurrection to life application. Have you?   

Jesus prophesied His crucifixion and still the disciples could not comprehend Calvary.  Jesus prophesied His resurrection and still the disciples did not expect Easter.  Only by remembering and understanding His words would their lives be transformed.  Jesus had promised them that He would rise from the dead.

With Christ’s resurrection comes our resurrection.  With Christ’s resurrection comes Satan’s ultimate defeat.  With Christ’s resurrection is the victory of: heaven over hell; love over hate; hope over despair; forgiveness over sin.  Like the early believers, we are to share the joy of Easter’s promise. Christ is risen.  Christ is risen indeed!

Pastor Les Hollon

“The Gateway to Christianity is not through an intricate labyrinth of dogma, but by a simple belief in the person of Christ.”
-Norman Vincent Peale

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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