The Morning of Revelation: Encountering the Risen Christ
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened." - Luke 24:1-12
The narrative found in Luke 24:1-12 is a poignant and transformative account that captures the essence of hope and resurrection. As we reflect on this passage, we meet a group of women who embody love, grief, and unwavering faith. Early in the morning, before the sun had fully risen, they departed from their homes with spices in hand, ready to anoint the body of Jesus Christ—their beloved teacher and Savior—following the horrors of His crucifixion.
The text tells us, "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb." (Luke 24:1, KJV). Their devotion is immediately evident; they did not allow the darkness of despair to deter them. Their heartfelt mission speaks volumes about the nature of love—as well as our responsibilities in grief. When faced with loss, we often seek tangible ways to honor those we have lost. These women modeled that perfectly by preparing spices which were customary for burial rites.
Upon reaching the tomb, they encountered an astonishing sight—the stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away. This development must have sent a rush of confusion and wonder through their hearts. "They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:2-3, KJV). This absence was palpable, and it stirred their affections deeply. Just like them, we often stand at the entrance of our own tombs—places of grief, despair, and the memories of loss—and we demand answers. Why has this happened? Where is what we sought?
As these women were grappling with the unexpected, "suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them" (Luke 24:4, KJV). Fear gripped their hearts, and in an instinctive act of reverence, they bowed down with their faces to the ground. Herein lies a profound lesson. In the face of divine mystery, when we are confronted with the remnants of our sorrows, our first response often is to bow low in humility. The angelic figures, seemingly a mix of terror and wonder, reminded the women of a truth that they may have briefly forgotten. "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:5-6, KJV).
The angels skillfully steer the women's hearts from turmoil to triumph by echoing the promise Jesus had proclaimed before His crucifixion.
"Remember how he told you, while he was yet in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7, KJV). This crucial remembrance is a reminder that, despite our situations, God’s promises transcend our understanding and can turn sorrow into joy. The women’s spiritual awakening invites us to meditate on the reminders of our hopes and the promises God has laid before us. Are we looking for Jesus among the remains of despair, or are our hearts open to the possibility of resurrection?
When the women returned to share this monumental news, they faced disbelief: "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them as idle tales." (Luke 24:11, KJV). Yet, Peter, driven by an impulse within him, ran to the tomb to verify the truth for himself. This moment reveals the virtue of curiosity in faith; skepticism does not undermine belief, but rather can lead us to deeper understanding. When he arrived, he found remnants of the burial cloths, sparking within him a sense of wonder.
In our own lives, may we embrace the spirit of the women—their fear that turned to faith, their uncertainty that transformed into revelation. May we also be like Peter, willing to rush to the tomb, to investigate the mystery of Christ’s resurrection for ourselves. As we delve deeper into our faith, let us not look for the living among the dead, but rather embrace the living hope found in the risen Christ. Indeed, may we walk in the joy of the resurrection each day, forever changed by the encounter with our Lord.
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Luke 24:1-12 Artwork
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened." - Luke 24:1-12
Luke 24:1-12 - "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."
Luke 24:1
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Luke 24:35
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Luke 24:13-35
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Joel 1:2-4, 13-20
Luke 1:11-12
Luke 1:11-12
Luke 1:11-12
Luke 1:11-12
Luke 24:12 - "Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."
1 Chronicles 24:12 - "The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,"
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Luke 1:24 - "And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,"
Luke 24:1 - "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them."
Luke 1:12 - "And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him."
Luke 24:12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
"The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim," - 1 Chronicles 24:12
Luke 24:12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
Luke 24:12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
2 Samuel 1:2-4 David is shocked the man is scared image in color
2 Samuel 1:2-4 David is shocked the man is scared image in color
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Luke 24:42
Luke 13:24
luke 24:17