Almighty God: Tomb Raider
Opening Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, I bow in worship and praise before You today. You conquered sin and death for me forever.
Read LUKE 24:1-12
[1] 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 into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” [8] Then they remembered his words. [9] When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. [10] It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. [11] But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. [12] Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why was it futile to look for Jesus in that tomb?I love 3D films. I shriek with amazement every time an image jumps out at me! This is possibly the nearest I will ever get to the experience of the women at the tomb, when two angels appear to them gleaming like lightning. No wonder they were frightened (5)! They had followed Jesus, loved him and watched him die, and it only remained for them to anoint his body with spices and perfume. As they approached the tomb that morning, I wonder if they were filled with any sense of expectancy.
As soon as the shining messengers asked why they were looking for the living among the dead, declaring “He has risen,” the women remembered Jesus’ promise about rising. Ecstatic, joyful and overwhelmed, they rushed to tell the others. What a moment that must have been! Unfortunately, the disciples were not so quick to believe (11).
The angels’ question still resonates today. Do we look for life among the dead? Do we hold onto relationships that are broken, experiences that are past, dreams that are in ruins, or habits that bring destruction?
Apply
Is there anything in your heart, mind or behavior that needs to be transformed into life by the risen Lord Christ?
Closing prayer
Risen Lord, renew Your life within me today so that my life more clearly reflects the difference You have made in me.
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