He Has Risen!

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Lk 24:5-6)

The women who went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus were looking for a dead man, and if they had found him we would never have heard about it. Generally speaking dead people stay put. But Jesus is different. Everybody thought they knew that. Of course he’s different! He is the Messiah – a miracle worker and a prophet. But then he died, and it wasn’t supposed to end like that. These women were filled with sorrow because they loved Jesus. But they expected to find him there that morning, in the cemetery with the other dead people. Until that moment they didn't understand how different he is. Until they saw the empty tomb and heard the angels proclaim, “He has risen!”

He has risen! This morning that wonderful cry will ring out from the lips of two billion Christians. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, incarnate in human flesh, died for our sins but he didn’t stay dead! The tomb is empty. You won’t find him at the cemetery. The moment that might have been forgotten centuries ago is instead celebrated as the most singular event in human history. He lives! Our Savior lives! Alleluia!