He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
An angel is speaking to women who came to Jesus' tomb, delivering the most explosive news in history. Jesus had been publicly executed and buried three days earlier, but death couldn't hold him. The angel invites the women to see the evidence—the empty tomb where Jesus' body had been laid. This moment changes everything about how we understand death, hope, and God's power.
Risen Jesus, You walked out of a sealed tomb and nothing has been the same since. Help me believe that the graves I visit might already be empty. Show me Your resurrection power in my impossible places. Amen.
The women came carrying spices, prepared for the grim work of preserving a dead body. They were expecting the stone, the smell, the finality. Instead, they get an earthquake, an angel, and three impossible words: "He is not here." Not moved. Not missing. Risen. The angel doesn't just tell them—he invites them to come see the place where hope itself defeated death. You have your own graves, don't you? The dream that died, the relationship that flatlined, the part of you you buried when life got too hard. The angel's words echo across your cemetery: "He is not here." Whatever you think is dead and done for—Jesus specializes in resurrection. Not resuscitation of the old thing, but something new and impossible breaking through. The empty tomb isn't just history; it's your future. Come and see.
What specific evidence would the women have seen in the empty tomb?
What 'graves' in your life feel final and irreversible right now?
How does the resurrection change your understanding of death and loss?
If Jesus really conquered death, what fears lose their power over you?
Who needs to hear 'He is not here' about their situation, and how will you share it?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:6
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
John 20:4
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke 24:44
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Matthew 26:31
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 16:21
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Mark 16:6
He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said [He would]. Come! See the place where He was lying.
AMP
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
ESV
'He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
NASB
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
NIV
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
NKJV
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
NLT
He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
MSG