That Glorious Morning: The Empty Tomb and the Risen Lord

Oh, can you feel it? That holy hush before the dawn… the moment when heaven itself held its breath. If you are a conservative Christian who still trembles at the King James Bible, who clings to the old rugged cross, the blood that cleanses, and the literal, bodily resurrection of our Lord, then come with me to John chapter 20.  

We have wept through “that last week,” stood trembling in “that last night,” listened with aching hearts to “that final discourse,” and fallen on our faces at “that hour on Calvary.” Now—glory to God!—we stand at **that glorious morning**, the morning that shattered the power of death forever. The tomb is empty. The Lord is risen. And your heart was meant to be set on fire all over again today.

Let the Word of the living God break over you like sunrise.

1. The Empty Tomb – “He Is Not Here” (John 20:1-10)

Mary Magdalene stumbles through the darkness, her heart still raw from Friday’s horror. The stone is rolled away. She runs, weeping, to Peter and John. They race to the tomb—and there it is: the linen clothes lying, the napkin folded neatly by itself. Not stolen. Not scattered. Carefully, tenderly left behind by the risen King.

John “saw, and believed.” Oh, dear friend, can you picture it? The very cloths that had wrapped the cold, lifeless body of your Saviour now lying empty—proof that Jesus Christ walked out of death in victory! This is no fairy tale. This is the pounding heartbeat of our faith: the tomb could not hold Him. The grave clothes could not keep Him. Death itself bowed before the Son of God.

2. The Tender Encounter – “Mary!” (John 20:11-18)

Mary stands outside the tomb, tears streaming, blinded by grief. She sees the angels but they cannot comfort her. Then she turns—and there He is. She mistakes Him for the gardener until one word pierces her soul: “Mary.”  

Just her name. Spoken by the risen Lord with all the love of eternity. She spins around, sobs “Rabboni!” and falls at His feet. Jesus, fresh from conquering death, stops to comfort the broken heart of a weeping woman.  

Beloved, that same Jesus knows your name. He sees your tears. He meets you right where your faith feels weakest. In a world that mocks our hope, He still calls you by name and says, “Go tell them… I am alive!”

3. Peace Be Unto You – The Breath of the Risen Christ (John 20:19-23)

That evening the disciples huddle behind locked doors, terrified. Then—suddenly—Jesus stands in their midst. “Peace be unto you.” He shows them the nail prints and the spear wound. Their fear melts into joy. He breathes on them: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

Can you imagine the surge of power that swept through that room? The same breath that spoke creation now fills fearful hearts with resurrection life. This is the moment the church was born in fire and power.

4. Doubting Thomas Meets His God (John 20:24-31)

Thomas wasn’t there. He refuses to believe: “Except I shall see… I will not believe.” Eight days later Jesus appears again and looks straight at Thomas: “Reach hither thy finger… be not faithless, but believing.”  

Thomas falls to his knees and cries the greatest confession in Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replies with words that reach across the centuries and grip your heart today: “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

My Question to Your Heart Right Now

Dear conservative Christian, has the resurrection become ordinary to you? Has the empty tomb lost its power to make you weep with joy?  

Today the risen Christ stands before you just as He stood before Mary. He is calling your name. He is offering you fresh peace. He is inviting you to touch the scars and believe again with all your heart.

If you have never been born again, today the risen Saviour is reaching for you—repent and trust Him completely. If you are saved but your soul has grown cold or doubtful, run back to the empty tomb. Let the living Christ breathe new life into you right now.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! And because He lives, you can face tomorrow. Because He lives, your sins are gone. Because He lives, death has lost its sting.

Let Us Pray

Heavenly Father, in the name of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, we fall on our faces before You. Thank You—oh, thank You!—for that glorious morning. Thank You that the tomb is empty and our Saviour is alive forevermore.  

Lord, touch every heart reading these words. If tears are falling, let them be tears of joy. If doubt is whispering, silence it with Your voice. Breathe on us afresh, O risen Christ. Set our hearts on fire with resurrection power. Make us bold witnesses who cannot stop saying, “I have seen the Lord!”

We give You all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. In the powerful, living name of the risen Jesus we pray. Amen.

Don’t you dare close this page the same. The tomb is empty. Your Saviour is alive. Fall on your knees right now and whisper, “My Lord and my God!”

Then go—run—and tell someone today: “He is risen… and He changed everything for me.”

Go forth in the power of the resurrected Christ—washed in His blood, filled with His Spirit, and burning with hope until He comes again.

--- Share this post if the risen Christ stirred your soul to tears of joy. He is alive—and He is coming soon!*

DMMC 

3-29-26