As dawn breaks on a new week, a group of devoted women approaches Jesus' tomb, carrying spices. What they find will change their world - and ours - forever.
The Reading: Luke 24
World English Bible1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
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2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
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3 They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.
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4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
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5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
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6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,
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7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”
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8 They remembered his words,
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9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
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10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.
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11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.
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12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.
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13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
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14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.
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15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them.
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16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
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17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
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18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”
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19 He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;
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20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
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21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
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22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb;
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23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
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24 Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
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25 He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
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26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”
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27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
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28 They came near to the village, where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
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29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.
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30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them.
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31 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.
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32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
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33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,
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34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
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35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
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36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
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37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
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38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?
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39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”
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40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
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41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
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42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
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43 He took them, and ate in front of them.
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44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
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45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.
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46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
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47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
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48 You are witnesses of these things.
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49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
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51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven.
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52 They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
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53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Women at the Tomb
On the first day of the week, a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, set out for Jesus' tomb. They were carrying spices they had prepared for his body. When they arrived, they were shocked to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
The Angelic Encounter
Perplexed, they encountered two men in dazzling clothes who questioned why they were seeking the living among the dead. They reminded the women of Jesus' words about his resurrection, igniting a spark of memory that sent them racing back to share this incredible news.
Doubt Among the Apostles
Despite their excitement, the women's report seemed like nonsense to the apostles. However, Peter, curious and skeptical, ran to the tomb himself, only to find it just as the women had said - empty, with only strips of linen left behind.
The Road to Emmaus
Meanwhile, two followers of Jesus were traveling to Emmaus, discussing the recent events. Suddenly, Jesus joined them, though they didn't recognize him. He engaged them in conversation, asking what they were discussing. They expressed their sorrow over his crucifixion and their hopes that he would redeem Israel.
Revelation at the Table
As they reached Emmaus, they invited Jesus to stay with them. While breaking bread, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him before he vanished. They rushed back to Jerusalem to share their encounter with the other disciples.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
As they shared their news, Jesus appeared among them, wishing them peace. Initially terrified, they were reassured when he showed them his hands and feet. He even ate fish in front of them to prove he was real and resurrected.
The Great Commission
Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, explaining that his suffering and resurrection were foretold. He instructed them to preach repentance and forgiveness to all nations, starting in Jerusalem, and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower them.
Why It Matters
The Power of Faith
Luke 24 teaches us about the power of faith and the importance of believing in the impossible. The women at the tomb and the disciples were filled with doubt, yet their encounters with the risen Jesus transformed their fear into unwavering belief.
The Journey to Understanding
The journey of the disciples to Emmaus illustrates that understanding often comes through discussion and companionship. Engaging with others about our faith can lead to deeper insights and revelations.
Witnesses of Hope
The commission given to the disciples extends to us - just as they were called to share the good news, we are encouraged to spread hope today. Want to connect with a community that shares this faith? You can find a church near you using Sancta, where you can join in worship and fellowship.
Real Encounters Matter
Jesus' physical presence after his resurrection reminds us that faith is not just an abstract belief but a personal encounter with the living God. It serves as a powerful reminder that our doubts and fears can be transformed through genuine encounters with Jesus.
Coming Up Next: John 1
In the next part of our journey, we dive into John 1, where the Gospel begins with the profound declaration of Jesus as the Word. Get ready to explore the origins of faith and creation in a whole new light!