Empty Tomb to
The Ends of the Earth
After His triumphant resurrection, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. Despite her faithful testimony, the disciples refused to believe. They remained locked in their grief and doubt, unable to embrace the reality of resurrection. Even as reports multiplied, two travelers on the road encountered Jesus - their hearts remained hardened, trapped in the prison of their despair and disbelief. How often do we similarly refuse to believe good news, particularly when it challenges our expectations or demands transformation?
Jesus finally appeared to the Eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and He rebuked them for their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him risen. Their hesitation reminds us that faith often comes slowly, even to those closest to the divine mysteries. Yet this very human struggle did not disqualify them from their mission - rather, it became part of their testimony. The Lord meets us not in our perfection but in our brokenness, calling us forward despite our doubts.
The risen Lord then gave them their great commission: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." This command transcends time and circumstance, extending to believers in every age. What began with a small group of imperfect witnesses would spread across continents and centuries. The message that seemed impossible to believe - that death itself had been conquered - would become the foundation for countless lives transformed. The Good News was never meant to be contained but shared universally, without exception or exclusion.
The Resurrection story continues through us when we share the message of hope in a broken world. Like those first disciples, we may struggle with doubt and fear, yet we are nonetheless entrusted with this sacred commission to spread the Love and Joy of our Risen Lord. The One who conquered death calls us to be bearers of life, carrying the news of the resurrection into every corner of our lives. Not one person is beyond the scope of this message, no situation beyond redemption's reach. The tomb remains empty, and the mission endures.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
