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.” Luke 24:1-5
Let me ask you a quick question: Did you actually read that passage above? Or did you skip it and just jump to the article?Trust me…I’m not griping…because I usually do the same thing. But indulge me for a second, and go back and read that paragraph, slowly…I’ll wait here.
First off…I wonder if I do a dis-service to the Scriptures by trying to write something about it…when MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, we just need to read it…slowly…and let the power of God’s Word wash over us!
We’ve all heard the “Easter Story” so it’s easy to want to skip ahead to the punch line…but God’s Word is POWERFUL and ALIVE! “Then they remembered His Words…” I pray that we ALL have that moment like these ladies…that we remember HIS WORDS!
But another thought is this: How HAUNTING is that question from the Guys in the Glowing Clothes? “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Even in the context of Luke’s version of the resurrection, the question is disturbing. They came with spices to give Jesus a proper burial. Where else would you GO to see a dead person, but in a graveyard? They weren’t seeking the living; they were seeking a corpse. They weren’t coming to say “Hi”; but rather to give a proper “Goodbye”.
I wonder if the “Angels in Disguise” could ask the same of you and me? Why do we seek LIFE…from things that will die? We seek peace in escapism or the bottle or the Internet or binge watching. We think another pair of shoes will make us happy. Yet the stress piles up and the “Stuff” piles up…and we find ourselves in graveyard of potential and possessions.
We really need to listen to the rest of what those guys said…HE IS RISEN! Our HOPE…Our SAVIOR…Our EXISTANCE…HE’S ALIVE!! He’s alive in our hearts…in our churches…and in His Word!
As we inch closer to Resurrection Sunday, I pray that you are LISTENING to God’s Words! Just read this story from your Bible app…and LISTEN to the glory of His Inspired Word! Yes, you may have heard the story before…but are you LISTENING for God to speak to you today??
And have you INVITED anyone to hear this story WITH YOU?? We want to worship WITH you this weekend! We have ALL THREE SERVICES open and with space for you! Invite a friend, and let’s MAKE DISCIPLES…by BEING Disciples…TOGETHER!
HE IS RISEN…and He wants to bring YOU life today as well!
Shalom…hope to see you Sunday!
Don
