The Living Christ: Part 1

Luke 24:1-7

“1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again?” 

The women who followed Jesus, followed Joseph of Arithmathea to the tomb where he placed the body of Jesus after he had taken Him down from the cross.  They had followed Joseph so that they would know where to go to anoint the body with spices.  They had waited until the day after Passover to do this.

What they found when they arrived was the stone of the tomb rolled away, an empty tomb, and angels who told them that Jesus had risen.  

The women of the tomb were looking among the dead for the living Christ.  They had gone to the tomb to visit and anoint  the dead body of Christ.  Their minds were on the things of death, not on the things of life.

The women had been present throughout Christ’s crucifixion and seen his brutal death.  How could anyone survive such a death?  And they had seen His dead body; they had seen Him entombed. 

It is wonderful to know that as we read scripture today and study the teachings of Christ, that we do not look among the dead for our faith.

We read the living word, we drink the living water, we worship the living Christ, and through our living faith in the living Christ, our lives are everlasting.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)