And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:5-6a
Happy Easter!
We say “Happy Easter” so easily this time of year, but many of us don’t really stop and consider what makes it such a happy day. Easter egg hunts, candy, and pictures of screaming toddlers with a giant hairy bunny are all fun things, but they have nothing to do with the true happiness of Easter.
The Real Good News
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12
The women come to serve
The women are coming to the tomb with spices to preserve the body of Jesus. It is an act of love to serve in this way. Most of us today would be completely creeped out at touching a dead body, but these women are coming in the midst of their mourning to pour out their love for Jesus in an act of service.
A Disturbing Sight
When the women arrive at the tomb, they encounter a disturbing sight – someone has opened the tomb and the body of Jesus is gone. They are astounded and confused. If they are anything like us ladies of the church today, they are standing around discussing what might have happened and what they should do about it. 🙂
Angels with Answers
The book of Luke doesn’t exactly say that the two men at the tomb were angels, but in John’s account (chapter 20), they are referred to as angels. The two angels are in dazzling clothes and appear to the women. They must have been impressive and intimidating, because the women are scared and immediately bow down until their faces are at the ground.
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24: 5-6a
Why do you seek the living among the dead?
The angels remind the women of what Jesus had already told them. He is not in a tomb. He has risen!
How often do we act like these ladies at the tomb of Jesus? We encounter a problem or confusing issue and we stand staring at the problem, talking amongst ourselves, or trying to come to a solution on our own.
Our answer is not in the problem, the darkness and death, our friends’ advice, or our own wisdom. Our answer is in the One who has already overcome death. He is victorious! He is risen!
Easter is Happy Easter because we have access to the Living King – the One with all the answers! He is our source of help in times of trouble. He has already done much more for us than we will ever deserve.
We have a choice
We have a choice this Easter. We can keep going our own way, trying to solve our own problems and looking for life in the midst of death and darkness. OR, we can accept the amazing gift Jesus gave to us in His death and resurrection. Our sins have condemned us to an eternity of death. Jesus sacrificed Himself in our place, to pay the price for our sins so that we might be forgiven. He was triumphant over the grave and rose to life again, so that we might share in His resurrection for an eternity with God.
Seek Life from the Life-Giver
Why do seek the living among the dead? This Easter, let’s seek life from the Life-Giver, the Grave-Conqueror, the Victorious King! He is risen!
Action Step:
Our Focus today is the EASTER STORY!
Easter Story: We will take days throughout Lent to learn different events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus.
If you have been trying to earn your way to heaven on your own terms, today is the day to submit to God’s terms. He is the only One who can say how we can be saved to spend eternity with Him.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV)
If you are already saved, take a moment in the midst of the Easter celebrations to consider your life. Is there any problem or obstacle you have been trying to solve yourself or seeking the advice of the world rather the advice of the Lord in order to find the answer? Today is the day to take the problem to the only One who already has all the answers.
Have a very Happy Easter!
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for victory over death! Thank you for your overwhelming love for us that never tires of us coming to You for help. We are so grateful for the very first Easter. Help us to remember not to seek the living among the dead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
