EXTRACURRICULAR: He's Not Here (The Easter Special)

   Most Christians love to focus on the fact that God is always with us, and is everywhere. That Jesus and His presence is all around us. That is all well and good, and of course true, but I think there's something else we need to focus on, especially on Easter: Jesus not being there. 

   In Mark 16:6, an angel appears to three women who went to anoint Jesus' body: “'Don’t be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'"

Mark 16:6 NIV

   Jesus wasn't there. Meaning He had risen, officially conquering death. Not even the grave could hold Him down. The Resurrection meant that Jesus had left in his physical form, but that He would return. It also meant that the Holy Spirit came to us, officially breaking the curtain separating God and man so that God would always be with us through the Spirit.

    On Friday, Jesus was murdered. He had done nothing wrong, yet was tortured and killed for our sins. He bore our sins so our faith in Him would bring us forgiveness and salvation.

   On Saturday, hope seemed lost. The supposed Messiah was now just a dead body in a tomb. The Savior of the world had been killed, and what hope does that bring?

   But on Sunday, He had risen. The grave wasn't holding Him anymore. He rolled the stone away. The resurrection and ascension of Jesus means that we have a Savior who isn't held down by death and sin, but is capable of rising above and bringing salvation to those who will follow Him. 

    So, remember Him dying for our sins, but also remember that He wasn't there anymore. That He rose from the grave. 

Happy Easter!