For Easter empty is a good thing

Romans 6:9 (ESV)

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

When you think about Easter, what do you think about?

Easter bunny…

Candy…

Family get togethers…

Pastel colors?

All of those things are good and cute, but when you think about the true meaning of Easter, those seem so empty. And when it comes to the true meaning of Easter, empty is a good thing!

Normally the concept of something being empty isn’t really a good thing is it?Empty…it brings about unneeded stress.

Empty gift cards…

Empty coffee cup…

Empty wallet!!

So, empty equals no good right?

You see everybody gets together for Easter to celebrate a holiday that is to them…empty

Lets look at some points about empty.

Point #1: Empty is a good thing.

When we look at Easter in the proper light, and we understand what really happened, and what was going on, and why we celebrate Easter…empty is a good thing.

When Jesus was crucified and nailed to a cross, they buried Him in a tomb and rolled a huge heavy stone in front of the tomb. Then three days later something unbelievable happened. The tomb was empty as we read in  Luke 24: 1-8

Point #2: Empty is proof.

Now let’s back up a minute. Let’s look earlier during Jesus’ ministry when he said had to go through this to his disciples. Mark 8: 31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.

Proof Jesus is who he says he is.

Point #3: Empty is powerful.

Jesus has power over death. Because Jesus died and rose again, because he Jesus is who he says he is, Jesus has power of sin’s greatest weapon…death.

You know for something to have life, something else has to die. Take for instance the piece of fruit you ate. It had to be disconnected from its tree, its life source; it had to die to give you life.

Jesus is the one who says I can give you life, I can make it so that you will never really die…that even after life on earth is done with, you will live with me forever….because that is how much I love you. The empty tomb shows us that Jesus has power over death, he looked death straight in the eyes, he took death’s best sting….and overcame it!! How amazing is that!!

Point #4: Empty is permanent.

Many people visit Jerusalem each year. Plenty of people walked down some of the same roads that Jesus may have walked down. One of the places people love to visit is the place where historians believe Jesus was buried…and guess what? Till this day the tomb is still empty!!!

Jesus wasn’t in the tomb 3 days after he died….he isn’t in the tomb today….and he never will be!! Jesus is God and is alive forever! His body wasn’t stolen, it wasn’t in the wrong tomb, it wasn’t some magic trick….

So, when we look at the true meaning of Easter and everything Jesus did for us on the cross…empty is a good thing!!

Empty means Jesus is who he says he is,

Empty means Jesus has power over death,

And empty is permanent…

Jesus is permanently alive and death will never overcome him again. When we decide to follow him instead of following our own selfish desires, we too can begin to really live!

Dear Lord, we thank You for what You did for each of us that Friday when You let Yourself become sin for each one of us. And thank You for conquering death and rising for the dead so that we someday may live with YOU forever in Heaven. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.