On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” And they remembered His words. Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. May Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12
My words…
Praise
The Eleven were together, each one miserable, burdened with heartache, guilt, and hopelessness. The “remember when” stories were not enough to extract the anguish from the room. The image of their pummeled and bloodied Lord lay seared on their minds. “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way,” they surely said to each other. There was only one event powerful enough to sponge away the stifling memory and paralyzing guilt. But this event was beyond belief, outside the limits of reality. It was nonsense, according the Apostles. But not according to the guards posted at the tomb, too scared to move. Not according to the terrified women, their faces to the ground, the oil and spices scattered about them. They were witnesses of the aftermath of You retrieving Your Son from the place that was never meant to hold Him. The most holy reunion in heaven or on earth was the only event powerful enough to cleanse the believers’ hearts of terror and grief and guilt and replace it with amazement, joy, and the peace of forgiveness. The beloved Son of God has risen! Joseph could have his tomb back.
Prayer for others
Father, my heart aches for the many who believe the resurrection is nonsense. They do not experience the joy of Resurrection Sunday as I do. What a pity. I pray for a formidable revelation of Your Spirit on those who have been beguiled into dismissing this most astounding expression of Your love for all.
Thank You
Centuries and centuries of prayers of heart-felt gratitude have been lifted in thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Your Son dying, and You having to watch. I am adding mine to that reverent collection. My thankfulness motivates me to raise my hands and my voice to You, and my indebtedness causes me to fall to my knees. Thanks be to God the Son who suffered because of me, and thanks be to God the Father who turned sorrow into joy.
More praise
When You burst into Hades and defeated death, all of heaven cried for joy! The heavenly hosts would be in the presence of the Lamb once again! Some believe this act makes no sense. You are The Holy Grave Robber! It’s makes perfect sense to me.
