Luke 24:1–12
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
How Easily We Forget
The emotional journey of the first day is wild and you can feel it as you read the passage. The two Marys, Joanna, and the women come to the tomb and the stone was rolled away. Next, the body they were looking to pay respects to was gone. They “wondered” about it, but before panic could set in these “men” in bright light appeared and the women were frightened into paying respects with a worshipful bow. In the heat of this intense moment comes a very clever and important question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Jesus had been crucified and his followers spent the weekend disoriented, in grief and even in shock. The one they had put their hope in, many selling everything to support him, was gone. The women, there themselves, had given great support from their possessions to Jesus once he called and healed them (Luke 8). They “stood at a distance” as Jesus died on the cross (Luke 23:49). Their trauma must have been paralyzing. The Messiah was dead, right? Suddenly they are faced with the question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
In my own walk with God, I carry on in my cultural and emotional ways as life hits me and drags me around. My defaults kick in, and I forget what Jesus has promised me. I forget and often need to be reminded, like the women at the tomb, and then like Peter and the eleven, that Jesus is alive and has life for me. These disciples of Jesus, who followed him and heard his words directly, needed reminding of the plans of God and that death has no hold on Jesus. Notice the men in this situation think the message from the women is “nonsense.” They forgot that Jesus told them the plan. James and John must have forgotten that just a while ago Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, and has power over death.
In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that Jesus is alive and giving life? Where have you forgotten about Jesus’ life-giving power, and are simply living in a default?
Notice next that Peter ran to the tomb. He too was with Jairus’ daughter who had died and saw him bring her back to life. He must have remembered something of the experience and teaching of Jesus since the news caused him to RUN to the tomb. It wasn’t a moment of saying, “Okay everyone. Calm down. Let’s make our way over there after we finish breakfast and check things out.” No. Peter ran. Then he was in wonder. Other translations say he went home “marvelling” or “amazed.” Peter was blown away.
Spend time with Jesus now. Slow down your breathing. Close your eyes. As your mind slows down, ask Jesus to reveal to you the places in your life you’ve been forgetting about him and his life-giving power? If something comes to mind, invite Jesus into the situation. You can tell him, “Jesus, I invite you into this place.” Allow him in. After some time, simply thank him for dying and raising from the dead and bringing life to you today.
For further reflection:
When was a time you ran to Jesus? What was that experience like?
When was a time you were amazed at Jesus? Describe what was happening and what it meant for you.
What scripture comes to mind to help you remember Jesus in the coming days? If no scripture, what reminder could you set up to remind you that Jesus has life for you?
Author Bio
Brandon Crain is the Pastor of Marriage at
Heartland Alliance Church and has been married to Nadine since 2010. They live in Edmonton, Alberta with their 3 girls. Brandon has been a pastor since 2010 after graduating from Briercrest.
Luke and Acts taken from the
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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