Rejoice! He Is Risen

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Luke 24:4–6

T. DeWitt Talmage was one of the most influential American preachers of the nineteenth century, known for his vivid illustrations and strong confidence in the authority of Scripture. In one Easter message, he gave a powerful illustration: “Eight hundred years after Edward I was buried, they brought up his body and they found that he still lay with a crown on his head.”

It is true. England’s King Edward I died in 1307. When his tomb was opened in 1774, his embalmed body was found largely preserved. According to the records of Westminster Abbey, he was “found nearly entire, wrapped in a waxed linen cloth and wearing royal robes of red and gold with a crimson mantle. He had a gilt crown on his head and carried a sceptre surmounted by a dove and oak leaves in enamels.”

As remarkable as a mostly preserved eight-hundred-year-old body may be, it pales in comparison to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edward was still dead, even though the crown remained on his head. But, as Talmage continued, when we look into the grave of Christ, we see not only a crown, but “on his head are many crowns.” And more than that—He has risen. Those who came to the grave weeping may go away rejoicing. He lives.

That is exactly what the angels announced on the first Easter morning. The women came to the tomb perplexed and grieving, expecting death. Instead, they were met with a question that changed everything: “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Jesus was not there—not because someone had taken Him, but because He had risen just as He said.

The resurrection is heaven’s declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord. Death did not defeat Him. The grave did not hold Him. The risen Savior turned sorrow into joy and despair into hope—and He still does today.