It was Sunday. The women went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. They took fragrant spices (Luke 24:1). Yet, when they arrived, they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb . . . and they could not find the body of Jesus. In John 20 Mary Magdalene ran to Simon Peter and to John and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have put Him.”
It was bad enough that these women had witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He had not done anything wrong, but he was placed beside criminals to die. Their hearts sank as they watched. There was nothing they could do. That gut-wrenching feeling that caused an empty feeling in their stomach . . . and in their souls was more than they could handle.
While on the cross, Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” “Tetlestai!!!” This is both understood as a business transaction as well as a criminal’s release from prison. As a business transaction, families were taxed. The tax collector wanted their due. When someone owed money, whether a tax or another form of debt, the word “Tetelestai” would be placed on the bill showing the taxes had been paid in full.
If a person were put in prison, the offenses for the person to be incarcerated were placed on the door so all could see what the person had committed. When the criminal had fulfilled their time in prison, the authorities would write on this form “Tetelestai.” They had paid their debt. But Jesus . . . paid a debt he did not owe . . . because we owe a debt we cannot pay.
Ok . . . I chased a rabbit. The women heard these words and cried. They followed the procession to the tomb. They placed the body of Jesus in the tomb. The tomb was sealed and authorities placed guards by the tomb so no one could steal the body. And these women were left … EMPTY.
We, I, have had this empty feeling. Those whom we love are not here. We make plans for retirement and for a future and we are here alone. Yes, I know that empty feeling. This is our Friday . . . a dark Friday . . . a terrible Friday . . . an empty Friday.
And then Sunday comes and that feeling is the same. The women go to the tomb and find the stone rolled away. EMPTY. They run to tell Peter and John. EMPTY. Luke’s Gospel records these words, “They didn’t know what to make of this.” We might ask this question, “Why are we experiencing this?” “We don’t know what to make of this.”
John continues to write that two men stood beside these women and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He isn’t here, but has been raised. Remember what He told you while He was still in Galilee, that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Then they remembered His words.”
Remember these words . . . Even when our days leave us empty, Sunday’s coming. When we lose a loved one, Sunday’s coming. When we are empty and felt alone, Sunday’s coming. Remember in John’s Gospel Jesus came to Mary and gave words of encouragement. When our days are empty, Jesus has a word for us. And Mary’s reply was, “I have seen the Lord.”
When the tomb was empty, there was a reason. Jesus Christ Is Risen!!! This is the hope we can find to overcome these days we feel empty. This is the reason we can rejoice. This is the reason we might have sorrow for a season, and still praise the Lord. Hallelujah! He Is Risen Just As He Said!!!
When you have that empty feeling, just remember these words from the song, “Praise the Lord.”