Matthew 28:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Two Empty Places

Matthew 27:50,51 The temple had two rooms: the outer room and the inner room. These rooms were separated by a 30-foot-wide thickly woven curtain. It was torn from the top to the bottom (60 feet high).

Ecclesiastes 9:10 This was a common view at the time: When one dies, there is nothing significant after that point.

God had said He would meet Israel here, in the inner room, once a year. In the time of Jesus, the inner court was empty. The Ark of the Covenant was no longer present because of theft or some other loss. Where does God meet us now? The heart (will, desire, love) is His throne and mercy seat. Is God reigning in my heart?

Meaning and purpose in life allows me to keep going even if I’m not happy; this is hope. Hopelessness is a difficult way to live.

If I have some measure of meaning and spirituality in the material world, it doesn’t necessarily carry into the afterlife.

God made a way for more than just the Jewish nation. The inner room is no longer just for the high priest or exclusivity. God is saying, “Come on in, every nation. Come into this space and commune with me.”

Luke 24:1,2,3 Death creates emptiness. Purpose and meaning is not in the grave. The meaning and purpose walked out of the tomb. Jesus died to bury dogma and ritual.

Some things are supposed to stay in the grave (sins, hatred, bitterness, envy, selfishness). Life rises along with meaning and purpose.