The greatest reality of history, is the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When the two women called Mary came to the tomb on the morning after Christ rose, they were greeted by an angel of the Lord with these words: “He is not here; for He is risen as He said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead …..” (Matthew 28:6-7).
In this passage, we find four imperatives of the resurrection which still speak to us today:
1) “Come” — The resurrection offers us a great invitation (Matthew 11:28). Initially, we come through obedience to the gospel of Christ in the act of faith. We must “seek those things which are above,” as we continue grow and walk in the Lord.
2) “See” — The resurrection urges investigation and verification, weighing the overwhelming evidence. Paul tells us in (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) that the resurrected Christ was physically seen by more than 514 eye-witnesses. The blood of martyrs speaks eloquently of the reality of the empty tomb — Christ has indeed risen! – (Matthew 28:6) (1 Corinthians 15:20).
3) “Go” — The resurrected Christ places us under an obligation — to undertake a mission (Matthew 28:19-20). The empty tomb still demands our mobility to take the saving gospel of Christ to a world of folks lost in sin. As faithful disciples of our Lord, we must be willing to “Go.” We are not to rest on our laurels, but are to go “everywhere preaching the word” – to teach and preach Jesus in every house (Acts 5:42).
4) “Tell” — The resurrection demands proclamation! It is not a secret to be kept or knowledge to be hoarded. Rather, it is “good news” to be shared with the world. The “good news” that Jesus is risen! Men are in need of a Savior — Jesus is that Savior (John 4:42) (1 John 4:14). “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Every day in word and deed, we must proclaim the living Savior to a dying world lost in sin. The reality of the empty tomb can transform empty and fruitless lives, however, the question we must ask ourselves is, “Will we be obedient to the gospel call?”