The Empty Tomb

Mark 16:1–7 NIV84

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

The empty tomb is as essential to Christianity as the final chapter is to a book. Without it, the story of Christ's victory over death would remain incomplete. It's the defining moment that solidifies the foundation of our faith.

In a world filled with brokenness and uncertainty, the empty tomb stands as a symbol of God's power to overcome all odds. Just as the disciples found unexpected hope in the sight of the empty tomb, we too can find assurance that God is at work even in the midst of our doubts and struggles.

1. The Empty Tomb Means Jesus is the Truth and has Risen

Sub Point 1.1: Jesus' resurrection was foretold

Matthew 16:21 “21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Sub Point 1.2: The angel's confirmation of the resurrection

Matthew 28:5–6 “5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Sub Point 1.3: The disciples' witness of the empty tomb

John 20:3–8 “3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.”

2. The Empty Tomb Means Jesus has Defeated Death and gave us the victory

Sub Point 2.1: Jesus' victory over death was prophesied

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 “55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sub Point 2.2: Jesus' own declaration of victory

Revelation 1:18 “18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Sub Point 2.3: The promise of our own victory over death

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 “54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3. The Empty Tomb Means We have a new life and are Justified

Sub Point 3.1: The connection between Jesus' resurrection and our justification

Romans 4:25 “25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

Sub Point 3.2: The promise of justification for all who believe

Romans 3:22–24 “22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Sub Point 3.3: The assurance of righteousness through faith in Jesus

Philippians 3:8–9 “8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

4. The Empty Tomb Means our Future Hope is secure

Sub Point 4.1: The hope of eternal life

Titus 1:2 “2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,”

Sub Point 4.2: The inheritance of the saints

1 Peter 1:3–4 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,”

Sub Point 4.3: The assurance of our own resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 “20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”