This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Savior! (WATCH HERE)
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.
Have you ever looked in the wrong place for the right thing?
The ladies who came to Jesus’ tomb early that Sunday morning were looking in the right place to find a dead body. However, they were looking in the wrong place to find a living body.
To be honest, with the emotion and trauma of that first Easter weekend, who can blame the ladies for coming to the tomb wanting to finish the job of preparing Jesus’ body for burial. The last they saw Jesus was put in the tomb by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. WIth the Sabbath looming, there just wasn’t time to finish on Friday evening…so early Sunday morning was the next opportunity.
However, the living body wasn’t in the tomb.
Which was confusing. Because every other dead body would have been in the tomb after three days. It’s just what dead bodies do…they stay dead.
Except this one. The confusion of an empty tomb was clarified by a divine messenger who reminded the ladies what Jesus had said.
If only they had remembered…they wouldn’t have had to get up so early and just wait for Jesus to show himself alive.
But we can’t be too hard on them. We too forget what Jesus says and carry out aspects of life with our best knowledge and reason and perceptions, but are wrong. Sometimes it’s sinful…sometimes it’s not.
Maybe we spend time worrying and forget Jesus said to let him know about it and do not worry.
Maybe we carry financial stress and forget that God says to put him first in our management of our wealth.
Maybe we figure we can do Christianity on our own and forget God encourages us to be in community with other believers and established his Church for that purpose.
When the ladies remembered what Jesus said, their hearts were settled and their minds clear as to what happened. Their questions were answered and their fears dispelled.
All because they were reminded of what Jesus said…and that when Jesus says something he will follow through!
We can do the same!
Apply: What is going on in your life that perhaps you are forgetting a promise that Jesus has made to you? What changes when you remember Jesus’ words?
Prayer: Lord Jesus thank you for your words. Forgive me when I forget and lead me to remember all you said and to trust it. AMEN.