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Hear current audio messages by Pastor Scott Burr at:
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Thursday, June 9, 2016

Empty (Pt.1)

(Part 1 of 2)

“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.”-Luke 24:1-3

Let’s be honest for a minute, nobody likes to unexpectedly find things empty! Ever been hungry for a bowl of cereal and reach in the refrigerator for a gallon of milk only to find an empty jug? Ever been running late for work and jump in your car only to find the last person to drive it left the needle buried on empty?

Nevertheless, on the first day of the week when the women came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus and properly prepare Him for burial; they came upon a scene that greatly perplexed them. The tomb where Jesus laid had been opened and the body of Jesus was no where to be found. When the women returned and told the disciples what they had found, two them, Peter and John, ran to the tomb only to find Jesus’ burial linens inside. Why would two men rush to see an empty tomb?

Did you know that nearly a quarter of a million people each year travel thousands of miles to visit the garden tomb located in Jerusalem. In fact in 2008, my wife and I travelled the 6,359 miles to look inside and we discovered the same thing that Peter and John did. It’s empty! Hundreds of us waited patiently in line, pressing in, to gaze upon a cold stone slab. However, instead of being anxious, annoyed or frustrated; we too were filled with wonder as we considered what that tomb being empty really meant!

What is is so significant about an empty tomb?

The empty tomb removed the sting of death! It is our sin that separates us from the presence of God. Jesus died on Calvary’s Cross to take the penalty for our sin. Our sin is what condemned Jesus to death, however, His resurrection demonstrated that sin was no match for our righteous Savior. The empty tomb released us from the fear of death:

“Because God’s children are human beings-made of flesh and blood-the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Ohly in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”-Hebrews 2:14-15

People’s greatest concern when facing death is fear of the unknown. Fear is Satan’s greatest weapon. However, when Jesus came out of the tomb, He triumphed over death and the grave:



“I am the living one, I died, but look-I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”-Revelation 1:18

When we rest securely in Christ there is no fear of death, because Jesus overcame it!


Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church

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