The Empty Tomb and the Wounded Savior
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
John 20:1-2
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The Empty Tomb and the Wounded Savior
Early in the morning, while it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb. Her grief shapes what she sees: not resurrection, but loss. The stone moved can only mean one thing to a broken heart, someone has taken the body. Sin trains us to expect absence, theft, and death, not victory. Yet the risen Christ does not first correct Mary with glory. He will soon meet her with wounds. The resurrection does not erase the cross; it confirms it. The same Jesus who was crucified now lives, still bearing the marks of our salvation. As Luther teaches, we know God not by speculation but by the cross. Here, too, the empty tomb preaches the same sermon: the Crucified One has finished His work. Like Mary, we often run with fear before we understand. But the cross stands firm. Christ has not been taken away. He has risen, for you.
John 20:1-2
+
The Empty Tomb and the Wounded Savior
Early in the morning, while it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb. Her grief shapes what she sees: not resurrection, but loss. The stone moved can only mean one thing to a broken heart, someone has taken the body. Sin trains us to expect absence, theft, and death, not victory. Yet the risen Christ does not first correct Mary with glory. He will soon meet her with wounds. The resurrection does not erase the cross; it confirms it. The same Jesus who was crucified now lives, still bearing the marks of our salvation. As Luther teaches, we know God not by speculation but by the cross. Here, too, the empty tomb preaches the same sermon: the Crucified One has finished His work. Like Mary, we often run with fear before we understand. But the cross stands firm. Christ has not been taken away. He has risen, for you.
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2026
January
In The GardenBy Your Own LawA Kingdom Not From HereThe King Who Bears Witness to the TruthWhich Jesus Will You Have?Behold the King We MockedBehold the Man, Lifted for YouAuthority from Above, Glory from the CrossBehold Your King, Lifted Up to JudgeThe Place of the SkullIt Is WrittenEvery Promise KeptStabat MaterIt Is FinishedThese Three TestifyA True TestimonyA Quiet Courage at the CrossThe Empty Tomb and the Wounded Savior
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man Fails