‘Undas’ is a Filipino tradition observed every 1st and 2nd of November. During these days, people flock into cemeteries, and bring flowers, candles and food to remember and offer petitions for loved ones who have passed away.
Coincidentally, last November 1, 2026, Pastor Bob likewise took us to a tomb from 2,000 years ago. Yet, unlike the grave plots we clean or the columbariums we visit in the present day, this tomb is empty!
As you read my gleanings, I invite you to read Matthew 28:1–10.
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The Women
On Saturday, Jesus was lying dead in the tomb. His disciples were scattered and confused. Yet, the same women who stayed with Jesus on His last moments at the cross, walked back to the tomb to finish the burial process. Despite the extravagant spices offered by Nicodemus before Sabbath, they sought to offer a tribute coming from their own pockets. And so, their hands were full of spices while their hearts were filled with sorrow.
They came to the tomb to anoint a dead body. They thought death was the final story. Seeing the tomb sealed with their own eyes two days ago, they asked among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone for us…” (Mark 16:3). Yet little did they know, Jesus had already risen, and an angel had been waiting for them at the tomb.
The Empty Tomb
While the women were walking, “behold, there was a great earthquake..” Creation joined to declare the triumph already won. God appointed an angel to break the seal of Roman power. He “descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” (v. 2).
The guards, though fierce and strong, trembled at the sight of the angel. Even Rome’s military strength cannot contend with God’s power. They can roll stones, seal tombs, but they cannot hold Christ in the grave!
Even before anyone laid eyes on the tomb, it was already empty. Christ had already risen. The women came to the tomb with hearts sorrowful and gloomy, yet they encountered heaven’s glorious victory. The tomb is empty. Death is not the final story!
The Angel’s Declaration and Instruction
Then, the angel assured them, with God’s glory in their midst, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (v. 5–7).
In an era where women seemed insignificant, God chose women to be His first witnesses and messengers, announcing Christ’s resurrection to His disciples. As they carried out the instruction in glad obedience, Jesus met them on their way with greetings. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him (v. 9).
It was one thing to hear about it. It was another to see it. The same body that hung on the cross and laid on the tomb, is the same body that stood right before them. These women weren’t just ‘last’ at the cross and ‘first’ in the tomb. This time, they were ‘first’ to see Jesus in His glorious resurrection. What a privilege, indeed!
Jesus’ Words
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and report to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Matthew 28:10 (LSB).
Jesus addressed His disciples as “brothers” signifying that the cross paid the debt already. The unsealed tomb sealed our adoption into God’s household, closing the chasm between sinful man and the holy God.
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a story to tell.
It is a timeless truth to live by.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows me that God is at work even when I can’t see it. While Jesus was lying dead on Saturday, the greatest triumph was on its way! This is the truth I hold amid deep silence and overwhelming doubts. As Pastor Bob said, “Saturday seasons teach us that faith is not only trusting God when He speaks. It is also trusting God when He is silent. Sunday is coming. The silence will break. The stone will roll away. And when it does, we’ll see that God was never absent, He was always at work.”
Next, His resurrection assures me that, indeed, IT IS FINISHED. My debt has been paid. I no longer have to rely on myself. I’ve been made a child of God through the blood of Christ. He bore the penalty of my sins at the cross taking the full wrath of the Father. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And He who bled and died at cross is the same risen Lord who conquered death. Just as death could not hold Him, death has no hold on me too.
Lastly, His resurrection displays and confirms God’s preeminent power over all supernatural forces and principalities. That by raising Christ from the dead to the heavenly places, He is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:21). The glorious power that raised Christ from the dead is the same spiritual power working in me now, and the one raising me from my sleep on the day of Christ.
So then, I can truly rejoice even amid the hardest trials and suffering. I can be patient even in the heat of the moment. I can forgive offenses despite the deepest hurts caused. I can persevere in obedience even when my flesh resists. And of course, I can be bold for the Gospel even in the face of opposition, uncertainty, and even death.
I can do these not because I’m strong, but because of God’s preeminent power resting in me, and in every believer, through Christ Jesus our Lord.
And so, this November, as candles are lit, flowers offered, and prayers uttered for departed loved ones, may reflect on these words of truth:
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27).
It’s eternal life or eternal judgement.
No middle ground. No purgatory.
Do you have the power of Christ’s resurrection?
If none, my friend, then the call remains.
“Repent and believe in the Gospel”
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