~Alex Wu
Luke 24:1-3 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.
Jesus’ believers all experienced the power of His resurrection when we were born again. Indeed it is the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11). But often I feel that something is missing. The Spirit who brought life to the dead must be able to do far greater work in me or through me than the status quo. When I asked God about this, the Holy Spirit led me to the tomb where Jesus was buried. Here is the sequence of the events: Jesus died and His body was sealed in the tomb; He was resurrected and left the tomb; an angel rolled back the stone door and let disciples see the empty tomb; and resurrected Jesus appeared to disciples and taught them the truth of God’s salvation plan. God can fulfill His plans without human involvement or knowledge. But by His grace, He often chooses to go out of His way and do something only for our sake (John 12:30). Jesus did not need an angel to roll away the stone to walk out of the tomb. The stone was rolled simply for the disciples to witness the empty tomb. Only then, they gained enough faith to believe in the resurrection and the truth of His kingdom.
In 2025, we are at the entrance of the “tomb” – the enemy stronghold that blocks the way to life. Let us all await the moment that the giant stone door is rolled away. Miraculous healing shall take place! Financial provision shall be supernaturally delivered! But these will merely be the beginning. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will lead us to break the enemy stronghold and set many captives free. The broad place that He is bringing us into is not our destination but the pathway to His final victory! Amen.