He Is Risen! The Empty Tomb
Month 6: The Cross — Why Jesus Died · Bible Story
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 24:1-9
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. 5 As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” 8 Then they remembered His words. 9 And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
Memory Verse
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”— Romans 5:1 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 1–4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time.The Heart of It
For three days the disciples sat in the darkest sadness they had ever known. The One they loved had died on a cross. A heavy stone sealed His tomb. So very early on the first day of the week, some women came with spices to care for Jesus' body. They expected nothing but grief. Instead, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And two shining men asked the question that changes everything: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (). Jesus had told them this would happen, and now it had. Death had done its worst to Him, and lost.
This is why the cross is good news, and not just sad news. If Jesus had only died, we would still be stuck in our sin. But He rose! The empty tomb is God's loud "Amen" to everything Jesus did on the cross. It proves that the payment for sin was accepted. It proves that Jesus is exactly who He said He is. And it proves that all who trust Him will one day rise too. The women ran to tell the others, and we have been running to tell ever since. He is risen indeed! And because He lives, we can have peace with God.
Around the Table
Jesus didn't stay dead. He came back alive! The tomb was empty. He is risen!
Let's do it: Make a fist for the "stone." Then sweep it away and shout, "He's not here. He's alive!"
The women came expecting to find Jesus dead. But the tomb was empty, just like He promised.
Let's talk: Why is it such good news that Jesus came back to life, and didn't just die?
The resurrection proves two things. It proves God accepted Jesus' payment for sin, and it proves Jesus is Lord ().
Let's go deeper: Suppose Jesus had only died but never rose. What would be missing from the gospel?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's the best surprise you've ever gotten? The women came sad, and they got the best surprise in history. Jesus was alive!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Notice that women were the first witnesses of the empty tomb. Back in that day, a made-up story would have used men to sound believable. So this odd little detail is a strong sign. The account is telling the truth, not inventing it.
For Dad · Go Deeper
The empty tomb is the hinge of the whole faith. Paul stakes everything on it: "If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (). As a father, you are not handing your children a comforting fable. You are handing them a historical claim, with witnesses, an empty grave, and a transformed church. Let that steady you. The same risen Jesus who met the women in the garden meets your family in your living room. So lead them to do more than admire Easter as a holiday. Lead them to bow before a Lord who is genuinely, physically, gloriously alive. He lives to bring you peace with God.
Draws on: Josh McDowell & J. Warner Wallace, evidence for the resurrection.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive! Because He rose, we don't have to fear sin. We don't have to fear death. Help our family trust the risen Lord with all our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen."
The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so is every promise He made.