“He Is Not Here”
By M.R. Mahlaule DipTheol
Introduction: The Shock of the Empty Tomb
On that first Easter morning, the women approached the tomb with sorrow in their hearts. They carried spices, prepared to anoint the body of Jesus. Their steps were heavy, their minds clouded with grief. They expected silence, decay, and finality. But instead, they encountered a message that would change the world forever.
The angel declared: “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6).
Even today, if you visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, you will see an inscription above the door of the tomb: “He is not here.” Those words, carved into stone, remind every pilgrim that the grave could not hold Him. What began as a heavenly announcement has become a permanent testimony.
This Easter, we do not gather to mourn a dead Saviour. We gather to celebrate a living Lord. The empty tomb is not a monument of despair—it is a monument of hope, victory, a.nd eternal life.
1 The Empty Tomb as a Sign
The empty tomb is more than absence—it is presence. It is not simply that Jesus’ body was gone; it is that His life was restored.
- Historical reality: The resurrection is not myth or legend. It is fact. The inscription above the tomb is not poetry—it is truth.
- Spiritual reality: Death is defeated. The grave is powerless. The empty tomb proclaims that sin has lost its grip, and death has lost its sting.
- Cultural resonance: In African tradition, an empty grave often signals dishonour or theft. But here, the empty tomb is glory—it proclaims victory over sin and death.
The women expected silence, but they heard proclamation. They expected decay, but they saw life. The empty tomb reverses human expectation and reveals divine power.
The inscription above the tomb door today is a reminder: the grave is empty, but heaven is full of glory.
2. “He Is Not Here” as a Message of Hope
The angel’s words are not just about location—they are about transformation.
- Mary Magdalene’s tears turned to joy. She came weeping, but she left rejoicing.
- The disciples’ fear turned to boldness. They hid behind locked doors, but after the resurrection they preached in the streets.
- Our despair turns to hope. Whatever tomb of sorrow we face, the risen Christ speaks life.
In our African context, where poverty, sickness, and division often weigh heavily, the risen Christ speaks hope. He is not confined to a tomb; He walks with us in our struggles.
The inscription above the tomb door is not a relic—it is a living promise: He is not here; He is risen!
3. The Resurrection and African Realities
In African culture, graves are places of memory. Ancestors are honored at tombs. But Jesus is not bound to a grave—He is alive forevermore.
This challenges spiritual fears: witchcraft, ancestral bondage, fear of death. The risen Christ is Lord over all powers. His resurrection equips the church to live in unity, reverence, and Spirit-filled boldness.
The inscription at the tomb today reminds us: our faith is not in a dead ancestor but in a living Savior. He is not here—He is risen!
This message speaks directly to African realities:
- To communities burdened by poverty: Christ’s resurrection promises provision and hope.
- To families torn by division: Christ’s resurrection calls us to unity.
- To hearts oppressed by fear: Christ’s resurrection declares freedom.
4. Living in Resurrection Power
The resurrection is not just an event to celebrate—it is a power to live by.
- Faith: Believe in the risen Christ.
- Witness: Share the message boldly.
- Unity: Live as one body in Christ.
- Holiness: Walk in newness of life.
African imagery helps us grasp this: oil symbolises the Spirit’s anointing, water symbolises cleansing. The resurrection brings both—power and purity.
The inscription above the tomb door is not just history—it is a call to live differently. If He is not there, then He must be here—with us, in us, through us.
Conclusion: The Inscription That Speaks Forever
The angel’s words became an inscription. The inscription became a testimony. The testimony became our faith.
“He is not here.”
He is risen.
He is present.
He is Lord.
This Easter, let us not linger at tombs of despair. Let us walk in resurrection hope. The stone inscription in Jerusalem is a reminder, but the true inscription is written on our hearts: Christ lives!
Let us celebrate, worship, and proclaim: He is not here—He is risen indeed!
By M.R. Mahlaule DipTheol
Introduction: The Shock of the Empty Tomb
On that first Easter morning, the women approached the tomb with sorrow in their hearts. They carried spices, prepared to anoint the body of Jesus. Their steps were heavy, their minds clouded with grief. They expected silence, decay, and finality. But instead, they encountered a message that would change the world forever.
The angel declared: “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6).
Even today, if you visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, you will see an inscription above the door of the tomb: “He is not here.” Those words, carved into stone, remind every pilgrim that the grave could not hold Him. What began as a heavenly announcement has become a permanent testimony.
This Easter, we do not gather to mourn a dead Saviour. We gather to celebrate a living Lord. The empty tomb is not a monument of despair—it is a monument of hope, victory, a.nd eternal life.
1 The Empty Tomb as a Sign
The empty tomb is more than absence—it is presence. It is not simply that Jesus’ body was gone; it is that His life was restored.
- Historical reality: The resurrection is not myth or legend. It is fact. The inscription above the tomb is not poetry—it is truth.
- Spiritual reality: Death is defeated. The grave is powerless. The empty tomb proclaims that sin has lost its grip, and death has lost its sting.
- Cultural resonance: In African tradition, an empty grave often signals dishonour or theft. But here, the empty tomb is glory—it proclaims victory over sin and death.
The women expected silence, but they heard proclamation. They expected decay, but they saw life. The empty tomb reverses human expectation and reveals divine power.
The inscription above the tomb door today is a reminder: the grave is empty, but heaven is full of glory.
2. “He Is Not Here” as a Message of Hope
The angel’s words are not just about location—they are about transformation.
- Mary Magdalene’s tears turned to joy. She came weeping, but she left rejoicing.
- The disciples’ fear turned to boldness. They hid behind locked doors, but after the resurrection they preached in the streets.
- Our despair turns to hope. Whatever tomb of sorrow we face, the risen Christ speaks life.
In our African context, where poverty, sickness, and division often weigh heavily, the risen Christ speaks hope. He is not confined to a tomb; He walks with us in our struggles.
The inscription above the tomb door is not a relic—it is a living promise: He is not here; He is risen!
3. The Resurrection and African Realities
In African culture, graves are places of memory. Ancestors are honored at tombs. But Jesus is not bound to a grave—He is alive forevermore.
This challenges spiritual fears: witchcraft, ancestral bondage, fear of death. The risen Christ is Lord over all powers. His resurrection equips the church to live in unity, reverence, and Spirit-filled boldness.
The inscription at the tomb today reminds us: our faith is not in a dead ancestor but in a living Savior. He is not here—He is risen!
This message speaks directly to African realities:
- To communities burdened by poverty: Christ’s resurrection promises provision and hope.
- To families torn by division: Christ’s resurrection calls us to unity.
- To hearts oppressed by fear: Christ’s resurrection declares freedom.
4. Living in Resurrection Power
The resurrection is not just an event to celebrate—it is a power to live by.
- Faith: Believe in the risen Christ.
- Witness: Share the message boldly.
- Unity: Live as one body in Christ.
- Holiness: Walk in newness of life.
African imagery helps us grasp this: oil symbolises the Spirit’s anointing, water symbolises cleansing. The resurrection brings both—power and purity.
The inscription above the tomb door is not just history—it is a call to live differently. If He is not there, then He must be here—with us, in us, through us.
Conclusion: The Inscription That Speaks Forever
The angel’s words became an inscription. The inscription became a testimony. The testimony became our faith.
“He is not here.”
He is risen.
He is present.
He is Lord.
This Easter, let us not linger at tombs of despair. Let us walk in resurrection hope. The stone inscription in Jerusalem is a reminder, but the true inscription is written on our hearts: Christ lives!
Let us celebrate, worship, and proclaim: He is not here—He is risen indeed!
“He Is Not Here”
By M.R. Mahlaule DipTheol
Introduction: The Shock of the Empty Tomb
On that first Easter morning, the women approached the tomb with sorrow in their hearts. They carried spices, prepared to anoint the body of Jesus. Their steps were heavy, their minds clouded with grief. They expected silence, decay, and finality. But instead, they encountered a message that would change the world forever.
The angel declared: “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6).
Even today, if you visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, you will see an inscription above the door of the tomb: “He is not here.” Those words, carved into stone, remind every pilgrim that the grave could not hold Him. What began as a heavenly announcement has become a permanent testimony.
This Easter, we do not gather to mourn a dead Saviour. We gather to celebrate a living Lord. The empty tomb is not a monument of despair—it is a monument of hope, victory, a.nd eternal life.
1 The Empty Tomb as a Sign
The empty tomb is more than absence—it is presence. It is not simply that Jesus’ body was gone; it is that His life was restored.
- Historical reality: The resurrection is not myth or legend. It is fact. The inscription above the tomb is not poetry—it is truth.
- Spiritual reality: Death is defeated. The grave is powerless. The empty tomb proclaims that sin has lost its grip, and death has lost its sting.
- Cultural resonance: In African tradition, an empty grave often signals dishonour or theft. But here, the empty tomb is glory—it proclaims victory over sin and death.
The women expected silence, but they heard proclamation. They expected decay, but they saw life. The empty tomb reverses human expectation and reveals divine power.
The inscription above the tomb door today is a reminder: the grave is empty, but heaven is full of glory.
2. “He Is Not Here” as a Message of Hope
The angel’s words are not just about location—they are about transformation.
- Mary Magdalene’s tears turned to joy. She came weeping, but she left rejoicing.
- The disciples’ fear turned to boldness. They hid behind locked doors, but after the resurrection they preached in the streets.
- Our despair turns to hope. Whatever tomb of sorrow we face, the risen Christ speaks life.
In our African context, where poverty, sickness, and division often weigh heavily, the risen Christ speaks hope. He is not confined to a tomb; He walks with us in our struggles.
The inscription above the tomb door is not a relic—it is a living promise: He is not here; He is risen!
3. The Resurrection and African Realities
In African culture, graves are places of memory. Ancestors are honored at tombs. But Jesus is not bound to a grave—He is alive forevermore.
This challenges spiritual fears: witchcraft, ancestral bondage, fear of death. The risen Christ is Lord over all powers. His resurrection equips the church to live in unity, reverence, and Spirit-filled boldness.
The inscription at the tomb today reminds us: our faith is not in a dead ancestor but in a living Savior. He is not here—He is risen!
This message speaks directly to African realities:
- To communities burdened by poverty: Christ’s resurrection promises provision and hope.
- To families torn by division: Christ’s resurrection calls us to unity.
- To hearts oppressed by fear: Christ’s resurrection declares freedom.
4. Living in Resurrection Power
The resurrection is not just an event to celebrate—it is a power to live by.
- Faith: Believe in the risen Christ.
- Witness: Share the message boldly.
- Unity: Live as one body in Christ.
- Holiness: Walk in newness of life.
African imagery helps us grasp this: oil symbolises the Spirit’s anointing, water symbolises cleansing. The resurrection brings both—power and purity.
The inscription above the tomb door is not just history—it is a call to live differently. If He is not there, then He must be here—with us, in us, through us.
Conclusion: The Inscription That Speaks Forever
The angel’s words became an inscription. The inscription became a testimony. The testimony became our faith.
“He is not here.”
He is risen.
He is present.
He is Lord.
This Easter, let us not linger at tombs of despair. Let us walk in resurrection hope. The stone inscription in Jerusalem is a reminder, but the true inscription is written on our hearts: Christ lives!
Let us celebrate, worship, and proclaim: He is not here—He is risen indeed!
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