On Easter Morning The Tomb Was Empty. And So Were Most Local Church Services.

April 12, 2020

On that very first Easter morning, the tomb was empty. “He is not here: for he is risen,,” the Bible says about Jesus.

Easter morning church services across Escambia County were also empty Sunday morning, due to coronavirus social distancing.

At the annual Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoo’s stadium, the stands were empty as thousands tuned in online, on TV or on the radio. At Olive Baptist Church, Pastor Ted Traylor shouted the message of the risen Saviour literally from the rooftop, standing in front of the church’s large cross overlooking Davis Highway.

It was scene repeated at most churches – the pastor a few staffers with an Easter morning service streamed live on the internet while tens of thousands of people watched from their homes. A few churches held drive-in service, with families socially distanced inside their vehicles in the church parking lot.

The services were to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:

Matthew 28:1-20

Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5

But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.

The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

from the Holman Christian Standard Bible

Pictured above and below are the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at an empty Blue Wahoos Stadium. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “On Easter Morning The Tomb Was Empty. And So Were Most Local Church Services.”

  1. nina/george flora on April 14th, 2020 2:04 pm

    glad to watch this and as our church in Missouri had the drive in church……we .americans will not be stopped right!? JESUS IS RISEN… PRAISE GOD…..
    REV AND MRS. GEORGE FLORA

  2. Tina Grenier on April 13th, 2020 10:49 am

    Happy to call Pastor Godfrey my pastor along with his team! They continue to connect with their members and a lost world despite the building being closed. We are the body of Christ not the building. Just a reminder in the beginning Believers met in small groups and in homes I suspect in other countries this continues. The church has not folded .. We are active and Alive .. Learning new ways to send the Gospel to the world. Thank you for this post NorthEscambia!

  3. Love My Church Family on April 13th, 2020 9:03 am

    It is so nice to have a church family to worship with at the church; however, you can worship at home too. We are so blessed to have the technology to be able to watch, listen and worship online. Pastors have not “folded” as one reader said during this time but are keeping their families safe by not allowing big groups of people to come together. I think this shows integrity on the part of these churches so we all can get through this and come together sooner rather than later. Remember – just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you aren’t a carrier in which you can infect others. Be Smart and stay home as much as possible. Thank you to all the churches that put their services online and on tv. Thank you William for putting these scriptures in your story.

  4. Sandy Glass on April 13th, 2020 6:53 am

    Praise the Lord for Pastor Gordon Godfrey and Marcus Pointe Baptist church for continuing the tradition of Easter sunrise service at the Blue Wahoo stadium. Thank you to Quinton Studer for his Godly remarks at the end. Awesome worship and powerful preaching!!!

  5. So sad on April 13th, 2020 5:04 am

    What a great day in the house of God we had yesterday. I am so thankful my Pastor has kept our Church open for those of us who want to go. It is scary how many Pastors have folded through this.

  6. ATinker on April 12th, 2020 7:25 pm

    Thank you for posting this story! He is alive indeed!

  7. JIm on April 12th, 2020 7:02 pm

    HE IS RISEN INDEED!

  8. Estrella Nueva on April 12th, 2020 4:33 pm

    My sister and I stood 30 ft apart and prayed and sang praises to our risen Lord. Hh is with all of us.

  9. Missing church on April 12th, 2020 3:14 pm

    I br glad when church doors are open so people can come in and worship the Lord.

  10. Believer on April 12th, 2020 2:41 pm

    I am Grateful for the content of this message. In these perilous time we need an uplifting word. Praying God’s blessings over everyone. God have mercy on us all.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News