He is not here

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Luke 24:1-11

The women came on the first day of the week to prepare the body of Jesus. They brought spices and were ready to work until everything was finished. They knew a large stone was blocking the opening of the tomb and wondered how they could move it. (Mark 16:3) Imagine the surprise when they arrived to find the stone had been moved. As they cautiously entered the tomb more shock as two men were in the tomb clothed with “shining garments”

Fear overtook the women as they fell on the ground, but the men spoke and asked why they were looking for someone who was alive in a grave. Perplexed and surprised the women carefully listened and heard one of them say, “He is not here but is risen, remember what He told you”.

Remember what He told us, oh yes we remember, He told us all these things were going to happen to Him. He is not dead, but ALIVE!! Quickly they left the sepulcher and hurried to tell the disciples; surely they will remember and believe what has happened.

Arriving at the place where the disciples were they told the story. Instead of agreeing and comforting them the disciples just “brushed them off” as “idle tales” and did not believe the women.

Have you told the Resurrection story to family and friends and they “brushed you off”? Do not despair, continue to share God’s story. His word does not come back void. (Isaiah 55:11)

Have a blessed and wonderful Resurrection Day and remember “He is not here, but is risen”.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

P.S. Who were these women at the tomb? Three are named in this portion of scripture, Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James. Join me this week as I look at their stories.