stephen R Harrison

“Up From the Grave”

“The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, 

be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

-Luke 24:7

It’s Easter Sunday. It’s the day the Spirit has been preparing us for during Lent. The past week has been filled with a myriad of emotions and events that included greed, conflict, betrayal, torture, and murder. It also included humility, meekness, mercy, forgiveness, and love. As the sun rose that first Easter Sunday, the disciples began the day still in shock from Jesus’ arrest, torture, and crucifixion. They were still in mourning. This would not last long, as something miraculous was about to take place.

On that Sunday morning, women took spices to the tomb, expecting to find Jesus’ dead body. Instead, “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb” (v. 2). What happened last night? Did someone break into the tomb? Upon entering the tomb, “They did not find the body of Jesus” (v. 3). Can you imagine their shock and confusion? Did someone steal his body? While perplexed, “Two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them” (v. 4). The women bowed down, and the angels said the most amazing thing 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 into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words” (vv. 5-8). 

The news of being crucified and resurrected wasn’t new. Jesus told them many times this would happen. Their grief, shock, fear, and possibly doubt caused them to forget Jesus’ most important words that he would be raised from the dead. This is the Good News of Easter. Jesus overcame sin and conquered sin and the grave. He is still alive today! 

How did these women respond to this Good News? They believed and shared it with everyone (vv. 9-10). They told the disciples and everyone they met. While they may not have been able to grasp everything that happened entirely, two things were certain: Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, and the angels said he had risen from the dead. They believed this was true. This truth was worth sharing—the gospel always is!

The disciples, on the other hand, “Did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (v. 11). The Good News is foolishness to those who do not believe and are perishing. Which response matches yours? Do you believe in Jesus’ resurrection or not? Will you share the truth of the resurrection with others or not or question its validity?

Peter’s response that day should be our own. The women shared their experiences, and some disciples shared their opinions, but Peter had to see it for himself. He ran to the tomb, found it empty, and saw Jesus’ grave clothes (v. 12). It was true that he wasn’t in the tomb. That was Good News. This meant Jesus’ words were true: he was alive! Jesus isn’t among the dead. He’s among the living. If you believe this in your heart and confess this with your mouth, you will find him and be saved. 

Questions: 

Do you believe other’s reports about the resurrected Jesus?

Are you willing to check it out for yourself?

Prayer:

Jesus, we believe you are not among the dead but among the living. We thank God for the Good News of your resurrection. Your death has brought eternal life and hope to all who call on you and believe. We praise God for Easter Sunday because Jesus is risen from the dead. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Luke 24:1-12

Action Step:

Spend this Easter Sunday worshipping with other believers in your local church and celebrating with Christians worldwide that Jesus is alive!