Knowing The Word in Luke 24:1-12, The Resurrection

None of the gospels describes the resurrection. Jesus’ body is not in the tomb. The women who come to complete the burial procedures do not hesitate to enter the tomb after finding the stone that sealed the entrance rolled away. They find two men that are called angels in other gospels. The women are taken aback. The men ask them, “Why do you seek the living [one] among the dead?” Jesus is not dead and is not to be found among the dead. They remind them Jesus has already told them about the resurrection. Now they can begin to believe what he told them. At the end of this passage we find out who the women are who have come to the tomb. They return to report their findings to the eleven and the others still gathered in the city, but their report is not believed. Peter may not have believed, but that does not stop him from leaping up to investigate, and like the women, he too marvels at the absence of the body.

Luke 24:1-12

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Prayer

Christ is now risen again

From his death and all his pain:

Therefore will we merry be,

And rejoice with him gladly.

Kyrieleison.

Had he not risen again,

We had been lost, this is plain:

But since he is risen in deed,

Let us love him all with speed.

Kyrieleison.

Now is a time of gladness,

To sing of the Lord’s goodness:

Therefore glad now will we be,

And rejoice in him only.

Kyrieleison.

Miles Coverdale, 1488-1568