Empty Grave: A Three-Day Devotional With Ted Barrett and Zach Williams Sample

Day 1

The resurrection changes everything, and we celebrate the greatest event in human history on Easter Sunday. As a young boy, Easter Sunday changed my life forever. I want to look at some others whose lives were changed by the resurrection.

When I study the gospels, I try to place myself in the time and the culture when Jesus was leading His disciples. I am fascinated by the people who walked with Jesus and I wonder what that would have been like. Two such men are Peter and John. It is widely believed that Peter was the oldest of the Apostles while John was the youngest. They were both undeniably in the inner circle of Jesus and probably spent the most amount of time with Him during His public ministry.

John was a witness to the crucifixion, he remained at the cross and was given the charge by Jesus to care for His mother. John stayed close to His Rabbi during their time together, wanting to be as close as he could at all times. Jesus had a deep love for John, and John was humbled and honored to be a student of this great master. Over time, John came to see that Jesus was the Messiah! Now Jesus was arrested, dragged off, found guilty in a mock trial, beaten, and finally killed, as John watched Him draw His final breath.

Peter, on the other hand, swore he would never deny Jesus and vowed he would give his own life before he would allow harm to come to his Lord. Peter knew that Jesus was everything He claimed to be, yet when the time came, Peter wilted back and denied his master. 

So now Peter and John sit. Peter, under a cloud of shame for his cowardly behavior. Disappointed in himself and disgusted by his actions, full of shame. And John, now lost. The man who was to intervene and free His people from the oppression of Rome was now dead! How can this be? The man who performed so many miracles, the man who gave life to a dead man now lies dead in a tomb with a rock sealing His body inside.

Suddenly, Mary Magdalene comes in the room and tells them the stone has been rolled away and the grave is empty! She fears the body had been stolen and she doesn't know what to do.

Peter and John take off running for the tomb. Not knowing what to do but tired of sitting idly. They have to see for themselves what's going on. John records the fact that he got to the tomb first. Maybe he was bragging, maybe he was faster due to his youth. It may even be possible that Peter kicked a wall in his frustration over his actions and stubbed a toe, I know I've been there. They enter the tomb and they see the bandages of Jesus' body lying there. However, the linen that wrapped Jesus' head was neatly folded and strategically placed where the head of Jesus previously laid.

There it is, the empty tomb, Peter and John may not have fully known at the time that Jesus had resurrected, but Jesus left them a clue. When the master of the banquet left the table he would neatly fold his linen napkin and place it on the plate. This lets the servers know that he was not finished with the meal and he would be back. I believe Jesus was telling them He was not there, that He would be back to see them.

Imagine their joy when they encountered the risen Christ! For them, the worst thing that had ever happened in the history of mankind became the best thing to ever occur.

Heaven was waking, Angels were in jubilation, darkness was breaking, and the Devil was shaking, what a celebration! They saw an empty grave!!!