Easter, from all first accounts, was a startling answer from God to horrible personal tragedy. The trial, sentencing, and capitol punishment of Jesus of Nazareth had been carried out within hours of his sudden arrest, so as not to spoil the traditional Jewish Passover celebration. But he was put to death, buried, and his body even guarded throughout the religious holiday to prevent who knows what. His followers were devastated, his enemies cautious, the crowds curious. After Jesus died and was buried, Easter was the first day of the next week.
Life goes on.
Before dawn of the third day, there had been another earthquake and the tomb guards had no clue what had happened to Jesus' body. They had done their job. They had no idea why the body was not there. It had to be there. Jesus' disappearance was an event that reverberates along, generation after generation.