“He is not here.”  Those words are only used 3 times in the Bible.  Each instance was from 3 versions of the same story.  It is a group of ladies who were looking for Jesus.  That is not normally the phrase you would hear when you are looking for Jesus.  We actually are told to believe the opposite. Paul said that Jesus started from scratch and “he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near” (Acts 17:26-28).  If you seek for God you will find Him. 

Jesus wants to be a part of your life.  That was the whole purpose for Him coming to this earth, to bridge the gap between man and God.  When Adam and Eve sinned man became separated from God.  Our Holy God could not dwell with unholy people.  For thousands of years God had to interact with His creation through religious laws and rituals.  His only direct contact was with the priesthood and even that was very limited.  God created mankind to have a relationship with us.  In order for us to get back into relationship with God the canyon dividing unholy man from a holy God had to be crossed.  God wrapped Himself in flesh and lived among us.  He never sinned and because of that He could offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus was beaten, mocked, and crucified all so He could have a relationship with us.

Why then would Jesus, who died for our sins so He could be there with us, not be available when three ladies were looking for Him?  Because they were looking for Him in the wrong place.  These women were looking for the crucified Christ.  They were coming to anoint His body for burial. When the arrived at the tomb there was an angel waiting and the angel said, “He is not here.”  If the story ended there it would be a tragedy.  But the next four words from the angel put it all into perspective.  The angel then said, “For He is risen.”  The reason these ladies could not find Jesus is because they were looking for a crucified Christ instead of a resurrected savior.

If you are looking for a crucified Christ you will be looking for a long time.  Although Christ was crucified and died for our sins, he is not dead, he is alive.  The power of the gospel is not in the death of Jesus Christ, but in the resurrection of that same man.  Many men have died for God, but only one has been resurrected.  That is Jesus Christ.  Easter is the celebration of that resurrection, not to honor the crucifixion. We honor the sacrifice Christ made for us by the way we live our lives.

There are many reasons to seek Christ. People need salvation, direction, healing, understanding or maybe just companionship.  Regardless of your reason, do not go to the tomb to find Jesus because “He is not here.”  Right before the angels said that, they said, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”  Christ is alive.  Not just alive but alive forevermore.  He is ready for you to find Him.  Just make sure you are looking in the right place.  He is not in the grave for He is risen.  Today we celebrate the life of Jesus Christ.  Happy Easter!