When Jesus Christ was crucified 2,000 years ago, it seemed like the darkest moment in the history of the world. The Son of God willingly hung on that old, rugged cross suspended between Heaven and earth. With those wooden beams and the nails driven into His hands and feet, Jesus built a bridge to God. He bore the sins of mankind and sacrificed His own life so every person on the face of this earth could be saved.

Those who had walked with the Lord and witnessed the miracles watched with incomprehensible agony as He was cruelly beaten and mocked. The day turned black and hopeless as Jesus drew His last breath in His mortal body and cried out, “It is finished!” Then His head slumped to His chest in death.

The religious rulers of the day crucified Jesus, thinking they could forever silence Him. They didn’t know that by crucifying the Son of God, they would herald the message throughout the ages, “Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world!”

Because Jesus died and rose victorious from the dead, the apostle Paul could later write, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:54–55). Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus Christ took the sting for each one of us!

On that first Easter morning, an angel appeared to Mary at the tomb and announced, “He is not here: for HE IS RISEN” (Matt. 28:6). Yes, Christ died 2,000 years ago. Centuries have come and gone since that first resurrection morning. But we can still repeat that same message: Jesus Christ our Savior is risen! His tomb is empty today. He is the resurrected Christ, and He lives forevermore!