“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:2-3 (NIV)

“Who will roll the stone away from the entrance?” According to the gospel of Mark, this was the question that three women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, pondered as they took their spices to anoint their beloved Jesus’ body at the tomb.

However, when the three arrived, they saw that the stone, “which was very large, had been rolled away.” Instead, they were greeted by an angel who said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Can you imagine the thoughts racing through these women’s minds and the conversation they had as they raced to find the disciples? It was a day they would never forget. Scripture tells us the three departed quickly from the tomb. They didn’t hang around debating the issue but “with fear and great joy ran to tell the disciples.”

On the way to spread the news, the three women are astonished to meet the risen Christ. Falling at His feet, they worship Him. He tells them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Arriving in Galilee, the disciples also experienced the resurrected Christ. Matthew 28:17 says, “…when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.” Today, many people still doubt because they have not experienced the joy that comes from knowing the risen Savior.

On a recent pilgrimage to Israel, I experienced many holy sites, including the two suggested locations where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the grave. One site, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, embraces within its walls the traditional tomb of Christ. Another place, promoted by General Charles Gordon, a British military leader in the 19th century, is located on a rocky hillside and has become known as the Garden Tomb. Both places are beautiful in their distinct ways, but archaeological evidence points to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the traditional site.

For some, like me, the place is not important because the death and resurrection of our Savior doesn’t depend on the location of an authentic site. Our search is over because we won’t find His body in any grave. The words to this 1933 hymn by Alfred H. Ackley say it all:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Does He live in your heart? It’s the best place of all.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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