An Empty Tomb...A Locked-Up Room!

For sure this Resurrection Sunday is going to be quite different. No packed sanctuary. No church Easter breakfast. No buzz and excitement as everyone shows up to church dressed in their Easter best, ready to worship the Risen Christ. Instead, congregations will be separated into their own homes. Most people will be with their immediate family. Some may be alone. In either case, we’re all kind of locked down and locked up this Easter as we continue to fight the spread of this virus.

In actuality, we will be experiencing Resurrection Sunday much the way the first disciples did. The Bible tells us that on that first Easter, “…the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders….” (John 20:19 – NIV) That’s right, the tomb was empty, but the small band of disciples, not realizing what had happened, were locked behind closed doors.  No big celebration. No parade. No sounds of rejoicing.  Rather, on that very first Easter Sunday, in spite of an empty tomb, the disciples were in a locked-up room filled with fear! 

It makes me think about the many times in history, Christians in so many places have found themselves in the very same predicament. I think of times and places, even today, when Christians have been unable to worship publicly for fear of persecution. Thus, even on Resurrection Sunday, rather than experiencing the joy of the large group gathering and the excitement that comes with corporate worship, they have found themselves locked behind closed doors.

But here’s what we need to realize: whether we are in the church building celebrating the resurrection of Jesus in some big way or locked up in our homes, separated from one another, the tomb is nonetheless empty—the resurrection of Jesus is just as real and true.  In fact, John goes on to write, “…Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’”  That’s right, Jesus showed up behind the closed doors, speaking peace to those who were full of fear.

I’m expecting the same thing for God’s people this coming Resurrection Sunday. I’m believing that Jesus is going to show up in homes, among families, within the hearts and minds of his people, and speak his peace to those who find themselves this Easter behind closed doors. I’m believing that the presence of the Risen Christ will be just as real to us as it was to those first disciples. I’m believing that Jesus will come and minister to us his peace, even in the midst of the fears and difficulties that we find ourselves in.

Let’s remember, in spite of all that is happening around us, in spite of the fact that this Easter will be quite different from any most of us have ever experienced, the tomb is still empty—and, that means Jesus is alive!

Have a great day and a very blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Pastor Tim Harris