There’s an important detail in Luke’s account of Jesus’ resurrection.

The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.

Luke 23:55 NET

The women saw Jesus’ body in the tomb, which is why they returned with their embalming spices after the Sabbath.

Then they returned and prepared aromatic spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. [1] Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 23:56-24:3 NET

But, the stone had been rolled away, and Jesus wasn’t there.

It’s not like Jesus had to move the stone to get out of the tomb. Jesus physically rose, moved it, and left the tomb open.

In the same way, He removed our stone from our tomb so we may escape death.

And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. [53] (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.)

Matthew 27:52-53 NET

Death has no more power over us.

When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, [18] and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive — forever and ever — and I hold the keys of death and of Hades!

Revelation 1:17-18 NET

Lord, may we all grope around long enough to find that opening.

so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Acts 17:27 NET

After the centurion saw that the dead came back to life he knew Jesus was the Son of God.

Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, “Truly this one was God’s Son!”

Matthew 27:54 NET

Likewise, we are to live as once dead but now alive so the dead around us know Jesus is the Christ.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. [14] You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 NET

It was for freedom that Christ has set us free!

For freedom Christ has set us free…

Galatians 5:1a NET

• Eve and Mary Magdalene