Easter Day 2025
On the morning of the first day of the week, a big question is in the mind of the little group of Jesus’ followers. Where is Jesus? Where has He gone? The tomb where His body was dutifully laid is empty. Who has taken His body? What happened to Him?
The disciple whom Jesus loved more especially first finds the answer. When he sees the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself, he immediately understands. He sees and He believes. Nobody has taken Jesus from the tomb. He Himself rose from the dead and left the tomb. This is what He had announced many times in advance. What He said proved true. Then, all that He said is true. Then, He is the Son of God, sent by the Father in the world. Then, He is the truth and the life. He is the resurrection. He is the One who is. HE IS! Therefore, He is the way. We cannot but follow Him on the way to His Father and our Father. For He has said it: just as He rose from the dead, we are called to be born again from water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5). We are given a spiritual victory over our own death and the power to become children of God by being born again of God (Jn 1:12).
So, where is Jesus? He is with His Father, of course. He is One with Him (Jn 10:30). He is in the Father and the Father is in Him (Jn 14:10). He has come from the Father and came into the world; He is leaving the world and going to the Father (Jn 16:28). One of us, one from our human race, is in the Father and throws open for us the doors of heaven, thus giving us access to life eternal. This is true for each and all of us. This business of the empty tomb on the first day of the week concerns each of us directly and, I would say, most intimately.
Where is Jesus? Is he gone? No, He is coming to you; He is with you. You searched for Him in the night. You sought him whom your heart loves, but found him not. You called him, but he gave no answer. You rose and went about the city, in the streets and in the squares; you sought him, but found him not (Sg 3:1ss). And suddenly, you were given to understand. The one you were seeking outside has come inside. He has left the tomb and entered your heart. Didn’t He love you and give Himself up for you (Ga 2:20)? Didn’t He show His love for you when, while you were yet a sinner, He died for you (Rom 5:8)? Has your Heart found the One whom you love beyond all else? Has His Heart filled with love for you finally found you?
Where is Jesus? You know the answer, you, whoever you are, who are the beloved disciple of Jesus. He is in you. He is walking with you. He is making your walk of life and death the way to the Father. He is drawing you to Himself and sending you into the world.
Go, He says, run to the extremities of the world, and, with Peter and under Peter, announce the good news of Christ’s resurrection: “God raised Jesus from the dead and made Him manifest to us who were chosen by God as witnesses. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”
Can you see Jesus running, ahead of you? Like a strong man, He runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hid from His love (Ps 18:5s).
Draw us after you, beloved of our souls, let us make haste. We will exult and rejoice in you (Sg 1:4).
This is the Day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 117:24).
Christ is risen from the dead. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!