Luke 24:1-12 | Colossians 2:2-7
It’s really, really, really, really hard to imagine what it was like for Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the others on that resurrection morning. Actually, it’s impossible.
Everyone who comes to this story of Christ’s death knows of his life again, right? Okay, okay, perhaps there are some. But for the most part, the vast majority of us reading this know that Jesus will rise from the dead.
Can you try and imagine the impact though? Of course no one believed at first and many took much longer than you might think or hope to know or believe that Jesus was alive again.
Who could imagine such a thing happening? It was unthinkable. What would you do in Mary or Peter’s situation?
Maybe we can’t imagine the power of realizing that Jesus rose from the dead without the hind-sighted knowledge of the story. But can you remember a time in your own life when something completely unexpected and unexplained happened? Maybe someone didn’t rise from the dead or anything that dramatic, but something that happened that you just couldn’t have imagined? …maybe especially in a moment of extreme grief or sadness?
That might begin to set the stage for the bewilderment and amazement of that day.
But probably not.
Luke 24:1-12
Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. They didn’t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing. The women were frightened and bowed their faces toward the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He isn’t here, but has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words. When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. Their words struck the apostles as nonsense, and they didn’t believe the women. But Peter ran to the tomb. When he bent over to look inside, he saw only the linen cloth. Then he returned home, wondering what had happened.
Colossians 2:2-7
My goal is that their hearts would be encouraged and united together in love so that they might have all the riches of assurance that come with understanding, so that they might have the knowledge of the secret plan of God, namely Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. I’m telling you this so that no one deceives you with convincing arguments, because even though I am absent physically, I’m with you in spirit. I’m happy to see the discipline and stability of your faith in Christ.
So live in Christ Jesus the Lord in the same way as you received him. Be rooted and built up in him, be established in faith, and overflow with thanksgiving just as you were taught.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for a new day.
As I go about this day, keep my mind, heart, body, and soul full of the faith of resurrection:
…that dead things can live again.
…that life can come where it is most unexpected.
…that there is no thing or place or person or situation God-forsaken.
…that good can and does overcome evil.
…that love wins.
Tell it to me and tell it through me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.