Some people only think about Jesus at Christmas. Perhaps they are inspired by sweet paintings of a mother and child and promises of peace on earth and good will to men.
But Jesus is no longer in the manger.
He grew up to be a man, led a righteous life, kept all of God’s law in our place, and died on the cross for our sins. His death on the cross canceled our sin debt, demonstrated His love, reconciled us to God, took the punishment for our sins, made it possible for us to be saved, and more.
But Jesus is no longer on the cross.
Some of His last words were “It is finished.” He had done everything necessary to make it possible for people to be saved.
He was taken down from the cross and buried in a borrowed tomb.
But Jesus is no longer in the tomb.
When friends came to care for His body, instead they found an angelic messenger declaring, “He is not here; He is risen, just as He said.” “God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death” (Acts 2:24, CSB).
Jesus’ resurrection testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, validates His claims, removes death’s sting, gives hope in sorrow, show’s God’s power, and so much more.
Now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father, praying for us, and preparing a place for us to be with Him. Yet He also dwells in our hearts through faith. “Christ in us” is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
The manger, the cross, and the tomb are all empty—that we might be filled with His presence, pardon, power, and peace.
Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no pow’r but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.
Witnessing Thy pow’r to save me,
Setting free from self and sin;
Thou who boughtest to possess me,
In Thy fullness, Lord, come in.
Mary E. Maxwell, “Channels Only”
“If you come to seek His face, not in the empty sepulchre, but in the living power of His presence, as indeed realizing that He has finished His glorious work, and is alive for evermore, then your hearts will be full of true Easter joy, and that joy will shed itself abroad in your homes. And let your joy not end with the hymns and the prayers and the communions in His house. Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service; take it into your work, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; take it to your heart, and let that heart rise anew on Easter wings to a higher, a gladder, a fuller life; take it to the dear grave-side and say there the two words ‘Jesus lives!’ and find in them the secret of calm expectation, the hope of eternal reunion.” —John Ellerton
This post was inspired by a short piece written by Terry Rayburn.
I often link up with some of these bloggers.
Stray Thoughts 
This is beautiful, Barbara. May you and your family have a blessed and joyous Easter!
We did, thank you! I hope you did as well.
Amen. He is Risen! Risen indeed! Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to you–even after Easter. 🙂
I just discovered your blog as I was looking for a discussion guide for By Searching by Isobel Kuhn and looking for discussion questions for the ladies who have been reading the book with me. We would like to start a book club, maybe in the fall, but decided to “dip our toe in” by reading one smaller book and discussing it. I got lost in your book lists and loved looking through them. Is there any place where they are all together so I could print it for myself for ideas? I have read quite a lot of them, but so many more good ideas.
Thanks so much, Beth. I don’t have lists of the books I’ve read except that at the end of the year I list the books I’ve read that year. I’ve put those lists here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/books/.
I love Isobel’s books, especially By Searching and In the Arena.
When I saw the book about Dr. Ed Panosian, I wondered if you went to BJU, and then I read in your story that you did. I met my husband when we were students there in the early 80s. Thanks for your reply!
We just missed you. 🙂 I graduated in ’80 but was originally supposed to graduate in ’79.
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Love this! Praise God He did rise and is no longer in the tomb. I read Max Lucado’s “The Angels Were Silent” just prior to Easter this year and it helped the day feel even more meaningful.
I’ve not heard of that. I’ll have to look it up.
Barbara, thank you for such a beautifully written post about our precious Lord and Savior.
“The manger, the cross, and the tomb are all empty—that we might be filled with His presence, pardon, power, and peace.” Amen! Thank you, Barbara!
What a beautiful post for Easter, Barbara. We have a glorious hope because He lives.
Excellent post for Resurrection Day! (Sorry it took me so long to visit!) What a glorious truth that the cross and the tomb are empty, because it means we have life and hope!
I’m happy to have you here whenever you can come. 🙂
Beautiful! I’m featuring your blog post on my Pinterest board for Grace & Truth Featured Posts. You can see your feature here—
Thanks so much, Maree.
This is such a powerful message Barbara. This is so encouraging. He is Risen Indeed!
Thanks so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
xo
Thank you Ms Barbara. He is Risen, and alive in me. God’s blessings ma’am.
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