Imagine the surprise and confusion when Mary Magdalene and other women arrive at the tomb only to find it empty. The events of this morning would change everything.
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 Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week, just as dawn broke, a group of women - Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James - set out for the tomb, armed with spices to anoint Jesus' body. But when they arrived, they were shocked to find the massive stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
The Angels' Message
As they stood there, bewildered, two dazzling figures appeared and calmed their fears. They asked, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!' The angels reminded them of Jesus' words about his resurrection, and the women immediately recalled what he had said. They hurried back to share this astonishing news with the eleven apostles and others, but their story seemed like nonsense to the men.
A Walk to Emmaus
Meanwhile, two followers of Jesus were walking to Emmaus, discussing the recent events. Jesus himself approached them, though they didn't recognize him. As they expressed their sorrow and confusion about his death, Jesus gently corrected them for their lack of understanding and began to explain how the Scriptures foretold his suffering and resurrection.
Recognizing the Risen Christ
When they reached Emmaus, the men invited Jesus to stay with them. During dinner, as he broke bread, their eyes were suddenly opened, and they recognized him before he vanished. They realized that their hearts had burned with excitement as he spoke to them on the road. They rushed back to Jerusalem, where the disciples were also buzzing with news of Jesus appearing to Simon Peter.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
As they were sharing their stories, Jesus appeared among them, offering peace. Initially terrified and thinking they were seeing a ghost, he reassured them by showing his hands and feet. To prove he was indeed alive, he even shared a meal with them, asking if they had anything to eat.
The Great Commission
After ensuring they understood his resurrection and the Scriptures, Jesus commanded them to spread the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. He promised the Holy Spirit would empower them. Finally, as he blessed them, he ascended into heaven, leaving his followers filled with joy and hope.
Why It Matters
Embracing Hope
Luke 24 is more than just a story of resurrection; it's a powerful reminder that hope can emerge from despair. The women who found the empty tomb demonstrate courage and faith in their mission to share the good news, despite initial disbelief from the apostles.
Understanding Doubt
The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus speaks to the struggle of faith. Even in times of confusion, Jesus walks with us, patiently guiding us toward understanding. It encourages us to seek deeper truths and to recognize the ways God is present in our lives.
The Call to Witness
Jesus' final instructions to his disciples highlight our call to share the message of love and redemption. As we reflect on our faith, let us remember that we are witnesses of these transformative events. To continue your journey, consider using the Sancta app to find a church near you, where you can connect with others who share your faith and seek deeper understanding together.
Coming Up Next: John 1
Next, we embark on the next part of our journey: John 1, where we will explore the profound relationship between Jesus and creation, revealing the eternal Word that changed everything.