Empty Tombs

Before you begin: Read John 20:11-18

I think we can all relate to that feeling of emptiness. We all have those sources of pain and anguish – loss, grief, sadness. I’ve had my own lately. Between dealing with job loss and miscarriage, Lent was tough this year. I felt as though I had been stripped of so many things that were so important to me, and in a way that I didn’t really have a choice in the matter. I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve seen so much suffering around me lately, miscarriage, death of young children, cancer, financial hardship, divorce. I don’t think anyone needs reminding that life can be so hard.

I’ve been struggling with this. How does one overcome this sense of emptiness? How do you grieve loss? How do you heal? Enter Mary Magdalene. On Easter morning, she ran to the tomb and found it empty. Jesus was not there. Jesus, the one whom she loved so deeply was nowhere to be found. He had already been unjustly and cruelly crucified. Now his body was gone? Understandably, she wept. But the story was not to end there. Mary peered into the tomb and found angels speaking to her. When she turned around, she saw Jesus himself. She didn’t recognize him at first, but upon uttering her name, she realized it was him. Jesus is alive.

Have Hope!

I don’t have all the answers, but I realized one thing. The empty tomb is a sign of hope. So don’t leave the empty tomb.  It feels hopeless. It feels like the end. But it’s not the end of the story.

Don’t leave the empty tomb. When you try to fill the emptiness or escape it or forget it in a thousand different ways, eventually you will have to return to the tomb. You will have to face the reality of its emptiness. But when we wait there, we will find Jesus uttering our name with love and hope and joy on his lips. We will find the one who says that death no longer has the final word. You will find love, joy, peace, fullness, and life.

Don’t leave the empty tomb. Wait there. Allow him to give you all that you feel has been taken. Allow him to return it to you restored and glorified  far beyond your wildest imagining.

Do not fear the empty tombs but await with hope the glory that will find you there.

Questions for reflection:

• What are the “empty tombs” in your life?
• How have you tried to avoid facing the reality of these empty tombs?
• Imagine waiting at the tomb. Turn around and hear Jesus calling your name. What does he say to you? Rest there with him and let him speak.