While studying for my Easter Sunday lesson, I noticed something I had never seen before. See if you see it too.
“The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:8).
“Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb” (Mark 16:8).
“When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others” (Luke 24:9).
“Then the disciples all went back to their homes” (John 20:10).
Did you catch it?
No one stayed at the tomb!
History’s most important event had just happened right there, and no one hung around. They took a quick look and left! Is that not strange?
Today, any spot with historical value is marked and sold to the public. We tell and re-tell the story that took place in a specific town or a certain building. People travel to see where famous people were born or died. Interestingly, the first-century Christians do not do that at all. We never see them holding a worship service at the empty tomb. They do not make pilgrimages to it. It was not until 300 years later that a church building was built to commemorate the site, and even the accuracy of its location is debated.
So why did the Christians not make a bigger deal about the empty tomb itself?
Could it be that one glimpse was all they needed? One quick peek filled them to overflowing with hope and joy. The truth of what they saw fuelled them to go and tell others. Staying there and just hanging around was not an option!
In spiritual matters, a little is a lot. Jesus said that if one had faith as small as a mustard seed, amazing things could happen (Matthew 17:20). Saul, on the road to Damascus, was given a small look at the risen Christ, and it completely changed his life (Acts 9). One glance in the empty tomb transformed the meek into messengers.
What about you? Have you seen a little of God’s love, graciousness, and kindness? If so, you have a starting point. Who knows what might happen after that?
A glimpse of God’s power can change everything!
Comments