3/29

Luke 24:5-6

⁵And 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? ⁶He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee . . ."

At early dawn after the Sabbath, a group of women who had followed Jesus were taking spices to His tomb. They were shocked to find that the stone was rolled from the entrance of the tomb and Jesus' body wasn't there. They had brought the spices to cover the smell of decomposition so they could continue to visit the tomb. Suddenly, two men in dazzling apparel stood by them. They asked why the women sought the living among the dead. Did the women think light could be extinguished by darkness? Did they think the One by whom all things exist could cease to exist? The angels told them Jesus was not there. He had risen! Death had been swallowed up in victory. This was not only the miracle of resurrection, but even more, the One who said "I am the resurrection and the life" had defeated death! (John 11:25).

Angels must wonder why we are so slow to believe. They see God's mighty deeds and the power of His Word. Sin does not fill their minds with doubt and cloud their understanding of the works of God in the world. I imagine they were watching in wonder as Jesus taught and showed the signs of His authority over the natural world. But when the crowd yelled for Barabbas, when the disciples fled, or when the women expected to find a decaying body, they must have been amazed at how slow humans are to see what they see.

These two angels gently reminded the women that they had forgotten something. Jesus told them He would rise from the dead after three days (Luke 9:22). How could they not believe the words of the One whose words formed the world and all that is in it? How could they hear such a wondrous promise and just forget it? It's like an adult trying to calm a little child. "There, there, remember that Daddy said he would come home tonight." Let's grow up and take His words to heart in total belief! He's alive!

Consider: Do you remember that Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also"? (John 14:3). Live in full confidence that every word He speaks will come to pass.