Why Seek the Living Among the Dead?
Luke 24:5
Scripture Reading: Luke 23:50 – 24:12
It was completely logical for the women to go to Jesus’ tomb early that Sunday morning. They went to do the final thing they could for him and it was reasonable they’d expect to find his body there. Where else would you look for one who’s dead, than in the tomb where you saw the body placed?
But the most amazing surprise awaited them.
• The tomb was open…
• Two angels gleaming like lightening suddenly stood before them…
And they asked the women, “Why are you looking for the One who is alive here, where the dead reside?
They were stopped in their tracks… bowed with their faces to the ground. The sight of angels will have that affect
But that question; So penetrating! Why look for the living among the dead?
That simple question stops us in our tracks too because it brings us face to face with the most amazing truth ever that sets before us the most wonderful opportunity ever. It is so beyond human imagination that it took divine love and divine creativity to come up with it; Life conquers death!
Do you grasp what that means? It’s a promise that gives assurance and joy on several fronts. It’s a promise with meaningful results.
Will you walk together w/ me in God’s Word for a few minutes this Easter morning so we can get a fresh and firm grip on this promise?
The question; “Why are you seeking the living among the dead?
First, means that if you love Jesus Christ, you serve a risen Savior.
Our faith, the Christian faith is the only faith based on a loving relationship with its living Founder. All others failed to overcome the grave and their mortal remains are still there.
Jesus is only one who could promise, and who could deliver on the promise…
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26, NIV)
It’s hard to believe a dead person can come to life. Isn’t that impossible? The laws of nature forbid it. Death is final, right?
Who says? Smart, educated people?
Are you thinking of the same educated people who say there was a big explosion somewhere out in the universe and this world just naturally emerged from it?
Are you thinking of the same smart people who say resurrection of life is impossible, but after death we can be reincarnated to a higher state of being?
It just might be more reasonable to simply believe God does what he says He does.
Critics say the church created the resurrection. Not so… The resurrection created the church.
Not long before death, Jesus said, Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19, NIV)
Not long after Jesus’ resurrection… Peter preached in Jerusalem… “God raised Jesus from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…” (Acts 2:24).
Then he cited Psalm 16 where David wrote as a prophet “…he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” (Acts 2:32, NIV)
If you believe in Jesus; if you love Him, you serve a risen Savior…the living Lord.
You have nothing to be ashamed of on this most important issue of life. You’ve made the smartest decision ever to be made. God bless you for it. Hold to it and stand firm in assurance. Never let people cast doubt on your faith. Never let the devil cast doubt on it.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26, NIV)
You say, “Yes!” I say, “Praise God!”
You say, “Not yet.” I ask why not now; right now?
Here’s how…
• Romans 10:9
• Prayer
The question; “Why are you seeking the living among the dead?
Second, means that a grave is not your final destination.
On some future day, before the remains of your body are laid to rest in a grave, you will be gone from it. Remember, Jesus said to one of the criminals, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
2 Corinthians 5 is a passage I often share as I talk with people who are dying. It’s a passage many of you have heard when you attended a funeral.
We know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down — when we die and leave these bodies — we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NLT)
My parents used to take us tent camping. What great adventure and fun I enjoyed with my two older brothers and younger sister. We loved it. So Sharon and I took our three children tent camping. It was hard work. They loved it and we have some wonderful memories (don’t we?). But it was hard work, for the parents.
I learned an important life-lesson; I don’t want to live in a tent forever. Tents are not comfortable in heat and humidity, and they’re not very safe in a severe thunderstorm.
Tents don’t make a good permanent dwelling. Neither do these bodies of flesh and blood, bone and muscle. Our mortal body needs to be put aside so we can put on the garments of immortality. We need to do that so we’re suited to live forever in the glorious home Jesus went to heaven to prepare.
The grave is dark, cold place. The prospect of being planted there is terrifying. So God, who tells us hundreds of times in his word, “Don’t be afraid” has provided a way to make our graves into a portal thru which we quickly pass into His glory, His peace, His joy.
The fact that if you believe in Jesus, the grave is not your final destination is cause for you to take great courage.
And, it is cause for comfort when you visit the graves of loved ones who also believe.
Has your heart been buried with one you love? Are you “living among the tombs of your bereavement”?
Even if their bones still rest in that grave, your loved one is not imprisoned there. Go ahead and visit the grave, decorate it. But understand, if they believed in Jesus, they are not in that grave. Your believing loved one has permanently retired in a paradise infinitely more splendid than any paradise where we may vacation or move to in retirement.
Knowing that should bring joy to your spirit. You won’t find the living in the dwelling place of the dead.
The angel’s question; “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?
Third, means we stop looking for life where death reigns, and look for life where it can be found.
People look for hope, vitality and life in many places where it does not reside. Let me offer a few examples:
1. Messengers whose messages are not of God.
This would include philosophers and authors; song-writers and screen-writers; actors and entertainers; even teachers and preachers who offer counterfeit “truth”. They may sound godly and authoritative. But what they offer is not life-giving.
They offer self-help, improvement methods, or forms of therapy that depend on the power of human goodness. But it’s empty, lifeless, misleading.
God’s word often warns us to watch out for smooth sounding deceivers who say they speak for God but are really counterfeits. The only way to recognize a counterfeit is to know the real thing very well.
Don’t be one who seeks vitality, hope and life in ideas and value systems that are dead because they are contrary to the truth.
2. Religious activity that offers all the right traditions and the form of godliness, but lacks the power of God and offers real life.
I’ve told you before; just because you’re at worship doesn’t mean you’re at worship. You know what I mean? You can be in the place where people are worshiping God, yet not yourself entering into the spirit of worship.
Many look for vitality, joy and life in religion; in traditions and ceremonies that appear proper, but omit the key and central, life-giving truth; a personal faith in the resurrected and living Jesus Christ. That kind of religion is a grave. Death resides there, not life.
3. Merchants who make great promises. They say their products and services will give vitality, prolong your youth and make you happy.
So you spend lots of money, lots of time, and the only result is disappointment.
We can include politicians and policy-makers among those merchants. They sell us on their services and plans. If we believe them and follow them, we’ll have success. And we often do; for awhile.
Certainly support and encourage our leaders. But always remember your life and hope is not found in what politicians and merchants may market to you.
That’s not where life can be found.
So where can we look?
Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life… And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
“Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!” (Psalm 22:26, NKJV)
“You who seek God, your hearts shall live.” (Psalm 69:32, NKJV)
This is what the LORD says… "Seek me and live.” (Amos 5:4, NIV)
Luke’s gospel, from chapter 1; the Savior’s birth, thru chapter 24; His resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand, is all about God’s plan for our salvation. And the key to the entire plan is the resurrection of Jesus which assures life that is eternal and abundant.
That one simple question, “Why seek the living among the dead?” stops us in our tracks. It brings us face to face with the most wonderful opportunity and promise. It’s a promise that gives assurance…
1. You will find life, hope and vitality when look in the right place.
2. The grave is not the final end, for you or loved ones because…
3. We love, we worship, we serve a risen Savior.
His resurrection is real. Don’t let any person cause you to doubt that. Don’t let the enemy of your soul himself cause you to doubt that. Believe it and rejoice that Jesus lives. Grasp His assurance that you also live, and will live forever if you, by faith take hold of the gift of God’s saving grace.
