What happened?
The Resurrection
1 Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb,
3 so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them.
5 Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?
6 He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee:
7 ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’ ”
8 Then the women remembered his words,
9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest.
10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles.
11 But the apostles thought that what the women said was nonsense, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the linen wrappings but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.
Luke 24:1-12 GNB
Easter is one of, if not the, most important events in the Christian calendar. It is the time of hope, new life and praise. Jesus broke the power of sin and death.
The great hymn writer Robert Lowry penned these very familiar words of joy and hope,
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph over His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
I would like to look briefly at the human side of this Easter story to see what we can learn from it for ourselves.
The women, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; were on their way to the tomb to complete the burial process of preparing His body with spices and oils. This was their custom. Understandably they were upset and very sad at the loss of their friend, teacher and most importantly, son.
We have seen on TV, or may even have experienced it first hand, the despair of families who loose a child. It is even worse when this is through violent means. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering that Mary must have gone through. The pain, the sadness, the anger at the authorities, the anger at God, how could He allow this to happen?
When they arrive at the tomb to lovingly attend to His body, they realize as they approach that something is not right. The tomb is open. Oh No, what have the authorities done now? How much more pain and suffering can they make the family and friends endure? Who could do a thing like this? Who would want to steal His body?
The tomb was empty. No one can imagine what this would be like.
In verse 4 we read: “They stood there puzzled about this,”
I think that this may have lost something in translation. “Puzzled’ seems an understatement. It is not long though that their despair is changed to ecstasy. The two men asked them the question, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? “
Now they would be puzzled, because once again Jesus had surprised them.
Being human and in such a grief-stricken state they had forgotten the words of Jesus.
The men said to them:
6 He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee:
7 ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’ ”
8 Then the women remembered his words,
In an instant great sadness became great joy. They remembered His words. They remembered that He was the Son of God. Human but Divine.
I am sure that the journey from the tomb to the disciples was completely different from the one to the tomb.
Sadness had turned to joy, despair to hope, and heavy heart to joyful expectation. They could not wait to tell their friends.
As we celebrate Easter and the completion of a divine plan, let us also remember that the plan had a human element to it. Jesus suffered, died and as we celebrate today rose from the dead to defeat death and give us hope of eternal life. His family and friends also suffered as they watched and waited helplessly on the sidelines.
Let us remember on this day of celebration, people who are suffering, the people who have no hope only despair. Let us pray that they will find Jesus, as the family and friends of Jesus found Him in the garden. Let us pray that they realize that there is hope for the future, there is someone who cares and understands the pain and grief they have today. Then they will be able to have their sadness turned to joy as they realize that death is not the end.
Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph over His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Thank the Lord today and celebrate
