The Empty Tomb of Hazoor Isa al-Masih

This blog post is a transcript of a teaching that someone made about Step #6 in our discipleship process. Click here to return to the previous step.

Aslammu Alakum, my friends

In our previous teachings, I shared about the birth, miracles, and teachings of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Many prophets prophesied the birth of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Angels also came and told Hazrat Miriam (PBUH) and others about His birth. Hazrat Isa al-Masih was born of a virgin. He came into the world to save us from our sins through His death on the cross. Did any other prophet have a birth that special? Hazrat Isa al-Masih healed the sick and raised the dead. By His miracles, Hazrat Isa al-Masih showed His love towards sinners. He has such great authority and power that He can forgive sins and perceive our secret thoughts. Can any other prophet work so many miracles? Hazrat Isa al-Masih said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through me.” If we want to enter into a relationship with God, then we must hear and obey the teaching of Hazrat Isa al-Masih.

So, Hazrat Isa al-Masih had a special birth, performed great miracles, and had a great teaching. But these are not the most special things about His life. The most special thing is that Hazrat Isa al-Masih gave His life on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He was buried and, three days later, He came back to life. He came out of His grave and ascended to heaven! Now Hazrat Isa al-Masih sits in heaven waiting until the day of judgement.

Today, I will share with you a story about the resurrection of Hazrat Isa al-Masih from Matthew 28. Hazrat Isa al-Masih was so powerful that He came out of his tomb. When we look around the world, there are many tombs, and the bodies of the holy men are in those tombs. But Hazrat Isa al-Masih is so great that His tomb is empty. Let us read from Matthew 28.

1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Hazrat Isa al-Masih who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then Hazrat Isa al-Masih met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Hazrat Isa al-Masih told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” 

Please let me share with you four things from this story.

First, Hazrat Isa al-Masih rose from the dead! Three days after He died, some women who followed Hazrat Isa al-Masih went to His tomb. They expected to find His body and to mourn. Instead, they encountered Hazrat Isa al-Masih alive! Hazrat Isa al-Masih is so powerful that he did not stay dead. Hazrat Isa al-Masih can also give you eternal life because He is more powerful than death!

Second, an angel came to announce that Hazrat Isa al-Masih rose from the dead. Just like angels came to announce His birth, angels came to tell these women that Hazrat Isa al-Masih had overcome death. Angels came to announce His resurrection because of how special that event was. God wanted everyone to know that Hazrat Isa al-Masih had made a new path through which we could gain eternal life. Today, if you want eternal life from Hazrat Isa al-Masih, then repent of your sins and believe on Him. 

Third, Hazrat Isa al-Masih promised that the disciples would see him. A few verses later, we read, “The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Hazrat Isa al-Masih had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped” (Matthew 28:16-17). In fact, more than 500 people saw the resurrected Hazrat Isa al-Masih. He appeared alive to many people, and the lives of those who saw him were changed. Because so many people saw the resurrected Hazrat Isa al-Masih, we can be confident today that His resurrection is a historical fact.

Last, the women worshipped Hazrat Isa al-Masih. As we read, the disciples also worshipped Hazrat Isa al-Masih when they met him in Galilee. In fact, many people worshipped Him throughout His life. Just after His birth, wise men from the east came and worshipped Him. When He stopped a storm, His disciples worshipped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). When they said this, they did not mean that Hazrat Isa al-Masih was the physical Son of God, but the spiritual Son of God. When they recognized who He was, they fell down and worshipped Him. 

You see, Hazrat Isa al-Masih is more than a prophet. He was born of a virgin. He forgave the sins of the paralytic. He could see the secret thoughts of men. He healed the sick and gave life to the dead. He gave His life on a cross for our sins. He was buried. But Hazrat Isa al-Masih was so great that He rose from the dead. Indeed, Hazrat Isa al-Masih is worthy of our worship today. 

My hope is that you have seen the greatness of Hazrat Isa al-Masih in these teachings. If you have, then Hazrat Isa al-Masih is calling you to repent and believe to become His disciple. The next set of teachings are eight commands of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Please continue to learn so that you can also become a disciple of Hazrat Isa al-Masih.

Khuda Hafeez, my friends!