The Empty Tomb Still Speaks: Why the Resurrection and Holy Week Matter More Than Ever

There’s a phrase we hear every year around Easter: “He is risen!” And though it’s familiar, it’s anything but ordinary. The resurrection of Jesus Christ isn’t just the highlight of Holy Week—it’s the hinge point of history, the foundation of our faith, and the ultimate proof that death doesn’t get the final word.

For the believer, Holy Week is sacred space—a time to reflect, remember, and realign our hearts with the gospel. But it’s more than tradition. It’s a prophetic rhythm that reminds us of what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do again.

Let’s break it down.

1. Palm Sunday: The King Came Low

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a war horse, but on a donkey (Matthew 21:1–11). He came with peace, not power—yet He was still the King. The crowds shouted “Hosanna!” not realizing that salvation wouldn’t come through revolution, but through sacrifice.

👉 Holy Week reminds us that God often shows up in ways we don’t expect—but always in ways we need.

2. The Upper Room & The Garden: Love on Display

Maundy Thursday takes us to the Last Supper, where Jesus washed His disciples’ feet—yes, even Judas’. He then entered Gethsemane, where He prayed in agony, saying, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

This is love in action: serving and surrendering, even in the face of betrayal and death.

👉 Holy Week challenges us to love like Jesus—sacrificially, humbly, and fully surrendered to the Father.

3. Good Friday: The Cross Wasn’t the End

On Good Friday, Jesus bore the full weight of our sin on the cross. The innocent Son of God became the sacrifice for us. Isaiah prophesied it: “He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).

It looked like defeat, but it was actually divine strategy. The cross wasn’t a detour in the plan—it was the plan.

👉 Holy Week centers us on the Cross, the place where justice and mercy kissed and grace ran red.

4. Resurrection Sunday: The Game Changer

And then… Sunday came.The stone was rolled away.The tomb was empty.Death was defeated.Jesus got up.

The resurrection is not a metaphor. It’s not a symbol. It’s a historical, spiritual, and eternal fact.

Paul said it like this:“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

But praise God—He did rise. And because He lives:

Our faith has power.
Our future has hope.
Our lives have purpose.

👉 The resurrection changes everything—because it means sin doesn’t define us, death doesn’t hold us, and the story isn’t over.

Why Holy Week Still Matters

We don’t observe Holy Week just to go through the motions or tick a spiritual box. We walk through this week to re-experience the gospel. To remember that we serve a Savior who suffered, died, and rose again—for us.

It’s easy to become numb in our faith. Life gets loud. Our hearts get distracted. But Holy Week calls us back. It says:

🕊️ Pause and reflect.🕊️ Look again at the Cross.🕊️ Behold the empty tomb.🕊️ Worship the risen King.

Final Thoughts

We live in a world that desperately needs resurrection hope. In a culture of death, decay, and disappointment, the gospel is still good news—and Holy Week is our yearly invitation to come close again.

So this year, don’t just attend Holy Week services. Don’t just observe Resurrection Sunday. Enter in. Let the power of the cross and the victory of the resurrection renew your faith.

Because the tomb is still empty.Because Jesus is still alive.Because resurrection wasn’t the end of the story—It was the beginning of ours.

✝️ Let’s talk: What does Holy Week mean to you personally? Drop your reflections in the comments. Let’s celebrate the risen King together!