The power of the empty tomb

When the stone was rolled away from the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid, he was gone. But why does that moment still reverberate around the world? David Littlewood explains

The young Jewish woman stood at the mouth of the tomb, carved from rock like countless others in Jerusalem.

But this one was different – to her, it had been violated. The body of the prophet from Galilee was missing.

As if crucifying him on a trumped-up charge hadn’t been enough, the authorities had robbed him of even a proper burial.

To those who had followed him, loved him, believed in him, it was the final insult. Tears choked her as she bent to look inside.

Behind her, a voice broke the silence: “Woman, why are you crying?” Blinded by grief, she assumed it was the gardener.

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him,” she pleaded.

Then came the word that shattered the fog of despair – just her name, spoken with unmistakable warmth: “Mary.” In that instant, sorrow turned to wonder.

“Rabboni! (which means ‘Teacher’),” she cried out, rushing to embrace him.

Even in her joy, Jesus gently restrained her.

But the transformation was total – from desolation to hope, from loss to love.

Mary of Magdala – once written off by society – had become the first witness to the greatest event in human history.

She ran to the disciples, breathless with excitement, bursting in with the words that have stirred hearts for centuries: “I have seen the Lord!”

Story continues …