The Tomb is Empty
Acts 13:30–41 (NASB95)
30“But God raised Him from the dead; 31and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32“And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34“As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35“Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ 36“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; 37but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40“Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:41‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’ ”
The Tomb is Empty!!!
Paul’s message powerfully unfolds the mystery of Jesus’s resurrection as the culminating fulfillment of God’s ancient promises. In his sermon, Paul draws a vivid connection between the divine raising up of David and the even greater act of raising up Jesus—a theme that runs like a golden thread throughout Scripture. The resurrection of Jesus is presented not as an isolated miracle, but as the intended climax of God’s redemptive plan, echoing the prophetic promises found in the Psalms, Samuel, and Isaiah. This divine act vindicates Jesus as the long-promised Savior and Son of God, transforming the dire moment of His crucifixion into the very turning point of salvation. By appealing to the testimony of many witnesses and grounding his argument in the prophetic tradition, Paul reminds his listeners that what might have appeared as a moment of defeat was, in fact, the definitive demonstration of God’s power—a signal that Christ’s reign is inaugurated and that forgiveness of sins is freely offered through faith.
As we approach the celebration of Easter, this message challenges us to embrace its living truth in our everyday lives. Easter is not merely a commemorative event; it is a vibrant reminder that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is at work today, turning our deepest losses and moments of rejection into opportunities for renewal and hope. In our communities, let us cultivate a spirit of active faith by sharing the transformative power of God’s grace. May the resurrection inspire us to live with renewed purpose—to forgive, to welcome, and to boldly witness to a world in need of the redemption that flows from Jesus’s victory over death. As we gather this Easter season, let our ministries echo the timeless promise that through Christ, every ending is but the beginning of an eternal, grace-filled journey.