Matthew 28:5-7
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

The women seeking Jesus at the tomb that day received an astounding message.  Jesus was not there, but was risen.  And has there ever been a greater proclamation made on Earth?  Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, as He already had said He would be.  Jesus is alive, this same Jesus who came from heaven.  This same Jesus who went about doing good.  This same Jesus who was the manifestation of God Himself, who Himself is love, who is the way, the truth and the life, the very Son of God.  This Jesus is alive today and, having accomplished His atoning work, sits at the right hand of the Father.  This Jesus is interceding for us still today.  He is still teaching, still speaking to hearts, still transforming lives and seeking the lost.

And so may we rejoice in that fact evermore.  It is not just good news to those who knew Jesus at that time.  It’s not just relief from their mourning over a loss.  It is eternal life for all who believe.  It means something so much more than maybe we can fully realize that Jesus truly died and truly lives again.  Death has been defeated, and that open and empty tomb was proof, because Jesus would never be going back there.

Jesus had been in that tomb.  Some of these same women watched Joseph and Nicodemus wrap His body in the linen cloths and roll the stone in front of the tomb.  But Jesus didn’t stay there.  He was dead, but He didn’t stay dead.  He was on Earth, but He didn’t stay here.  And we are to move on from that, too.  We were dead in our sins, but now we are alive in Christ.  We were shackled and chained, dwelling in darkness, but we are set free.  We have life here for now, but we won’t stay here.  We have a promised home in heaven.

Since Jesus is risen, we must now seek Him in the right place.  A dead man would remain in his grave, but a living Savior will not be found among the dead.  The one who conquered death does not continue to dwell with the enemy.  So we seek Him in that highest place of honor and glory.  We seek Him in the heavenly places.  We trust that He is with those of us who believe on Him.  And we look forward to that coming day where we will go to be with Him forever.