The resurrection of Jesus is still today one of the wonders
of the miraculous hands of God. The rising of the Messiah out of the realm of
death is one aspect of the redemptive work that staggers the human mind.
As the disciples rushed to the see that indeed as reported
that the tomb was empty they were thrown into confusion even in their uncertain
state as they had hid from the public following his crucifixion. What would
this mean? They must have taught without answers filling through.
As some actually felt disappointed that he would have been
the long awaited messiah.
“But we had
hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it
is now the third day since these things happened.” (Luke 24:21)
They were oblivious of
the path that Messiah had to take to undo the work of the first Adam. Many like
the 2 disciples on the Emmaus certainly have the wrong focus and cannot see
that the Messiah came to restore humanity back to default before sin wrecked
havoc.
The finished work of
Jesus is not about exalting the Jewish system and nation above all others but
God’s kingdom reigning in our earthly environment. The resurrection of Jesus
from the grave was necessary for the establishment of the new covenant.
“16 For where
there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be proven. 17 For a will
takes effect only at death, since it carries no force while the one who made it
is alive” (Hebrews 9)
This new covenant was
about the rebirth of humanity in the rebirth of the last Adam as Christ. This rebirth
evidenced by the empty tomb is a message by God to all who would see that there
is no remains to look at and wonder at. Just as the ark (which means coffin) of
the covenant was a type and shadow of Jesus in His death it was fulfilled in
that scene.
Paul explained in
Romans 4:25
“He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the
sake of our justification.”
This place is well
captured in Young’s Literal translation:
“25 who was delivered up because of our offences, and
was raised up because of our being declared righteous.”
Humanity was declared righteous
and Jesus was raised up. His resurrection is proof that we have been reborn in
His true nature. His justification became our justification.
The empty tomb is the proof that
the Father has justified us in Christ our true representation. It is the beautiful
picture that paints a new reality. Death cannot hold us captive. Sin brought
death but now death cannot speak because sin was dealt at the cross.
The empty tomb is the courtroom that
declared our innocence in Jesus. In that place there is no evidence that stands
against as everything that stood us was nailed to the cross but did not resurrect
with our savior.
Now we are pronounced free. It is
time to live in liberty. Halleluyah!
