The Resurrection of Christ | English Devotion | NHFCSG

The Resurrection of Christ

Luke 24:1-9

 

Women followers of Jesus discover the empty tomb of Jesus.

Jesus was crucified on Friday (or on Thursday by some accounts). After His entombment, the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66). The tomb stayed sealed and guarded until discovered by these women on the first day of the week, very early in the morning.

The body of Jesus was hastily prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38-41). The women came to properly complete the hurried job performed immediately after Jesus’ death.

The angelic announcement of the resurrection.

1. They were greatly perplexed about this: Once the women saw the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, their immediate reaction was that they were greatly perplexed. They did not expect to find an empty tomb. This shows that the resurrection accounts cannot be the product of wishful thinking; they were not even expecting that it could happen.
2. Two men stood by them in shining garments: Even as angels announced the birth of Jesus, (Luke 2:8-15) so they also announced the resurrection of Jesus. The announcement of His birth was made to a few humble people, considered unimportant by the culture; His resurrection announced by angels to a few women.
3. Why do you seek the living among the dead? This was a wonderfully logical question. The angels seemed almost surprised that the women were surprised; after all, the angels had heard what Jesus said regarding His resurrection, and they knew the women had heard it also. They naturally wondered why the women were surprised.

Luke makes clear that Jesus is the one in control. “Remember how he told you . . .” the angels said. But Luke doesn’t focus on how unsettling it is to follow someone who will radically change our life. 

Rather, Luke aims to inspire awe in us for Jesus. Even though the odds seemed stacked against him, it turns out that everyone has played right into Jesus’ plan.

The resurrection of Jesus is the most awe-inspiring event in the history of the world. It’s not just that Jesus came back from the dead; Elisha had raised a dead boy to life, and Jesus himself had raised several people. 

The unique thing about Jesus’ resurrection is that it is permanent—Jesus is still alive! Jesus overcame death forever!

Because of Jesus, death no longer has the finality it once had. Jesus demonstrated his power over death so that we can have real hope that he will conquer our death as well. Like Jesus, many of his followers will die. But, because of Jesus, all who follow him will one day be raised back to life.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we praise you for taking control of this world. The world can be cruel sometimes, and life is fragile. But you are in control of our life, Lord, and you have defeated death. Amen.