Article: The Stone Was Rolled Away, Not To Let Jesus Out, But Rather To Let Us In! | Pr. Ribi Kenneth, UAE
One of the foundational beliefs of Christianity is Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. As Christians, we rejoice in the resurrection as proof of God’s omnipotence and ability to bring about His eternal purpose. We also anticipate being raised from the dead and spending eternity with Christ. The empty tomb, however, symbolises both a new hope and a new life, showing that the resurrection is more than just a historical fact or a hope for the future.
The Empty Tomb as a Sign of Hope: The Holy Scriptures state that Jesus was crucified, killed, and interred in a tomb. However, the tomb was discovered to be empty on the third day, and Jesus then showed up to his followers to indicate that he had indeed risen from the dead. The empty tomb demonstrates Jesus’ resurrection, a supernatural and miraculous event with significant implications for our faith and salvation.
However, the empty tomb signifies Jesus’ victory over death and a call to action for his followers to begin living in a new way. So, the tomb was not opened to let Jesus out because he had already risen by the time the tomb was uncovered. Instead, it was opened to allow us to enter, be transformed by, and experience the power of his resurrection.
Jesus’ death on the cross served as a sacrifice that atoned for humankind’s sins, enabling people to have a right relationship with God. Therefore, his resurrection is not just a miraculous event but also a representation of the new life that is possible for everyone who enters in and follows Him.
The Empty Tomb as an Invitation to The New Life:
Jesus extends an invitation to participate in this new life by opening the tomb and letting us inside. This entails not only accepting his deity but also abiding by his precepts, associating with other believers, and spreading the good news of his resurrection. Living in the knowledge that we are part of a larger narrative that goes beyond our own lives also means living with hope, joy, and purpose.
In other words, the empty tomb is a potent symbol of the hope and new life that Jesus offers to everyone who believes in him, not just a historical curiosity or a theological conundrum. It serves as a reminder that life continues after death and that by placing our faith in Jesus, we can benefit from the strength of his resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus is something we can experience right now as well as something that did happen in the past and as a hope for the future. Adopting Jesus’ new way of life means letting go of our old way of life and starting over. Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This transformation occurs as we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and lead us in the way of Jesus.
Happy resurrection experience every day of the year!
– Pr. Ribi Kenneth
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