Thur.’s Devo - The Empty Tomb

Read Luke 24:1-12 The women who followed Jesus had prepared spices to anoint his body. They had to wait until the sabbath was complete before they could leave their houses and come to the tomb. It was the first day of the week, which was also the feast of First Fruits. On this day all the men would bring their first fruits from their crops to the temple to give to God. When the women arrived at the tomb they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. While they were trying to figure out what had happened, they saw two men appear next to them in shining garments. They were afraid and bowed to the ground. The angels asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead. Then he reminded them of how Jesus told them he would die and on the third day, rise again. Then they remembered this and understood. They went back to the disciples and told them what they had seen and heard. This was too unbelievable for the disciples but Peter decided to go see. He ran to the tomb and when he got there he found the linen clothes and no body. He left amazed. When God set up the feasts they were to be memorials and rehearsals of a set time when God would come down and fulfill them. Jesus died on Passover as our passover lamb. He was buried on Unleavened Bread as the bread of life that had not “risen” yet. Yeast also stands for false doctrine or sin and Jesus had no sin in him. He rose on First fruits to be the first fruit to rise from the dead. If you read the crucifixion story in Matthew it says that when the veil of the temple was torn in two that the earth quaked and the rocks split and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matt. 27:52-53) Jesus was the first fruit to rise from the dead and enter heaven and with him he took all the believers that had died through the ages. Lord, your plan is amazing to us. Help us to understand your promises and not be surprised at your timing.