“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.2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.” Luke 24.1-8
He is Risen! What a rush it must have been for these women to come to the tomb and find Jesus missing. They arrived to finish the burial process, bringing spices they had prepared. But Jesus wasn’t there. He was gone and his body wasn’t stolen. He overcame sin and death and rose from the grave. He walked out of the empty tomb, moving the stone as if it were nothing more than a sliding screened door.
And although these women (no names are given at the moment, I imagine to keep the focus on Jesus) — found Jesus missing, there stood too men ”in clothes that gleamed like lightning.” What must that have been like? What is an outfit that ”gleams like lightning”? I imagine it’s impossible to look at and it certainly must be frightening. These women were indeed scared, bowing their heads to the ground, but these two men, “angels” from other Gospel accounts, spoke words of reassurance to them.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” And then they remembered his word. (v.6-8).
Jesus was not there. He was not in the tomb. He was gone, risen, alive. The best news of the millennium has just been announced, Jesus was indeed who he said he was. He is God’s Son, Messiah. He is the Christ and through him we might have forgiveness of sins, life everlasting, hope for eternity.
The good news is for all who believe. All who call upon the name of Jesus will be saved (Romans 10.13). Jesus is risen. Have you believed? Have you shared this news with others? What are you waiting for?
“O Lord God, this is amazing news. It’s the best by far. We were lost in our sins and you paid the debt for our disobedience. You rose again. Glory to God in the highest! Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your love and help us be the people you have called us to be. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen