"The angel said to the women: Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified." Matthew 28:5
It must have been a glad errand to the angels who were sent to minister at the grave of the Redeemer, to roll the stone away, to keep watch at the empty sepulcher, and to tell the good tidings to the disciples who came with such heavy hearts. Their message was one of great joy. Jesus, whom His friends thought was dead — was alive again for evermore. He had been in the grave — but He was not there now.
The empty tomb has many glorious voices. It tells us first, that Jesus actually died. He was buried here — just in this place. His head lay there — His feet here. Here are the grave-clothes — the pieces of fine linen which gentle hands wound around Him. Here is the napkin which covered His face. He lay just here. Look at the place and mark it well — and never forget that He actually was dead. This is important, for upon His death — your acceptance with God depends.
But look again. The grave is now empty. He was here — but He is not here now, for "he is risen." The grave is empty. Here are the grave-clothes — but there is no body. He is gone!
The empty tomb tells, then, of resurrection. Death could not hold the Messiah. He burst its bands and conquered the grave's power. This is important, for a dead Christ could not have saved dead sinners. Had He never risen, how could He have stood for us before God? How could He be our help in weakness, our support in trial, our Comforter, our Friend — if His dust lay yet in the grave? Therefore He is alive to intercede for us, to help us, to save us.
Still another truth which the empty tomb teaches us, is that all who sleep in Jesus — shall rise too. One precious word of Scripture says: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus — will God bring with Him." So let us learn to see through the grave — to the life beyond!
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.