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People who say, “The early bird gets the worm” mean early risers are often more successful. The women who got up early to anoint the body of Jesus were the first to hear the angelic message, “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” Then as they left the tomb, they were the first to meet Jesus and worship him. Their faithfulness positioned them to get the resurrection news before the others. They were first to witness the central event that unites Christians of every generation and many theological persuasions. Why is the resurrection of Christ so central? One writer says this: The resurrection of Christ shows that the Kingdom of God has broken into human history; that God’s power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Christ’s’ return. It assures us that death is now conquered and we will rise again to live forever with Christ. It gives authority to the Christians’ witness in the world. It gives meaning to celebrating the Lord’s Table. It enables us to be joyful in trials, to have hope for the future. It gives us power to operate day by day. The empty tomb makes Christianity unique from all other religious belief systems. Christ has conquered death and is now Lord over heaven and earth. That is why we place our faith in Him.
