THE RESURRECTION - THE DEVOTED WOMEN AT THE TOMB – RESURRECTION MESSAGE FOR EASTER – PART 2
We continue to examine this loyal group of women who went to the tomb early on Sunday morning carrying their prepared spices but when they arrived, the tomb was open and the body of Jesus was missing. In Part 2 we now take up the remainder of this story.
[F]. GOD ALWAYS HAS A SOLUTION FOR HIS SORROWFUL AND PERPLEXED SAINTS
{{Luke 24:4 “It happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling apparel.”}} But God was not going to allow this dear band of women to remain perplexed and full of doubts in that empty tomb, for that very tomb had spelt a powerful victory. Paul said in Romans 1 verse 4, speaking about the Lord, {{“Who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord.”}}
Jesus gave a wonderful promise to His disciples on that Passover night which is this – {{John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My PEACE I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”}} It is not God’s will ever to have His own children perplexed and with no peace, and that takes away their comfort and the Holy Spirit has been given as our Comforter. Uncertainty and problems destroy peace, but God does not want that for us, so what is the problem? I would suggest it is this, “O, you of little faith.” It is our faith that is not holding on properly. No matter what the problem is, we are secure in our Lord Jesus. Lift your eyes to the hills. From where comes our help? Our help comes from the Lord. These dear ladies at the tomb were perplexed even in their devotion.
The tomb marked the scene for one of the mightiest acts of the Holy Spirit, one of the most significant, and one of the most permanent. The power and authority of God overwhelmed that place. It was special. The women remained in the tomb. God’s power was manifested to them and His messengers suddenly appeared to them, standing close by. Luke says they were in dazzling apparel and we are reminded of the transfiguration of chapter 4 where the scene was of dazzling light. God is Light and all His hosts represent that brilliance, and that is what we will share in one day, but in what manner we can not yet tell. The Lord was not going to leave His dear women perplexed and sent His angelic messengers to them.
[G]. THE ANGELS’ QUESTION OF HOPE
{{Luke 24:5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?”}} This sudden, dramatic and powerful appearing literally terrified the women who prostrated themselves, faces to the ground. The angels spoke precisely, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” This was a question, not a statement. A statement would have inferred that the hearers would have had no knowledge of, or prior input into the matter. Here the question suggests that they should have known that He would not have been in the tomb. Perhaps it was a rebuke for their lack of discernment but ever so gentle a one.
[G]. REMEMBER WHAT WAS SAID - - - - HE IS RISEN!
{{Luke 24:6-7 He is not here, but HE HAS RISEN. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”}} They hung on every word of the supernatural angels. The question is followed by the statement, “He is not here but He has risen.” What a rising joy for the women; what a changing of outlook; what a whole new perspective - their Lord is not dead but He is ALIVE. Their hopes are not dashed. Their memories are not just of past events, just a passing of experiences, though it was a pleasant phase of history, with no hope for any future relationship it had just seemed. All is changed! He is indeed alive, the Lord, the object of their affections. He has risen indeed!
The statement remains the pivotal aspect of our salvation. No resurrection - no forgiveness of sins; no resurrection - no redemption; no resurrection - no hope in death. What a mighty angelic declaration that was. It triumphed the victory over the whole earth that morning. There is one hymn by Robert Lowry that contains these words –
[[DEATH CANNOT KEEP HIS PREY -
JESUS, MY SAVIOR!
HE TORE THE BARS AWAY -
JESUS MY LORD!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!]]
They are then reminded of the Lord’s words while He was still with them in the flesh when they were in Galilee. That is recorded in Luke 18:31-32 and Mark 9:30-32. Luke penned it this way {{Luke 18:31-34 He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished, for He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him, and the third day He will rise again.” They understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.”}}
The passages spelt out the series of events that were to occur and Mark and Luke said that the disciples did not understand. So dull of understanding were they, that when things were beginning to look tough as the soldiers surrounded the group in the garden in the evening, Peter drew his sword meaning to fight for their deliverance. They did not realise that the events that unfolded there were in the will of God.
Certain post-resurrection appearances are accompanied by a delayed understanding, where the hearts were enlightened to receive marvellous comprehension, which were to enlighten the declarations the Lord had previously made. In the case of these women, they had been hard of hearing, but now He opened their hearts and minds in understanding. Luke records three of these episodes in this chapter (here, and in verse 32 and verse 45).
The content of the original revelations in Galilee, and this reminder given by the angels to the women, draw attention to the three prime happenings of these past three days. Firstly, the deliverance to sinful men, i.e, the betrayal; then the crucifixion; then the resurrection after three days. These were the facts and once they were established, the doctrinal understanding of what it all meant, would be revealed in time by the apostles, particularly Paul. Marvellously, God gives us the correct amount of information we need for the moment. He never overloads us.
[H]. THE HOLY SPIRIT BROUGHT UNDERSTANDING
{{Luke 24 v 8 “and they remembered His words”}} It says they remembered His words but it is MORE than just remembrance - it is recall with understanding, and what a difference that made. It confirmed what they already knew - that Jesus was the True One, the Messiah, but it set it all on another level, a higher one, one with a godly comprehension.
We can not ever forget the part the Holy Spirit played in all this. It did not just come down to human memory, prompting and recall, but rather the operation of this fantastic verse – {{John 14:26 “but the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”}} I know the Spirit would do this when He was sent at Pentecost, but there is absolutely no reason why He could not do it with the women at the tomb. The Holy Spirit is yesterday, today and forever as is each member of the Godhead. The words of the Lord were brought to the women with great clarity and joy.
You know there are some who will never qualify for this remarkable experience of having the Holy Spirit bring things to our remembrances. And why would that be? The reason is that there is nothing to bring; the well is dry and no living water of memory can be drawn. It is absolutely imperative that the well is filled with the living word of God. Don’t live for yourself and neglect the bible then wonder why God is not communicating with you. He communicates through His word, and if the word is not there the Holy Spirit is unable to do His ministry.
Please remember the remaining days in the Church age are just so limited. It is only a few seconds to midnight to use a common expression. The Rapture for the Lord’s Church is so close. Please redeem the time while you still have the time. Do you want to be in the resurrected Lord’s presence and stand in failure? The time is very short.
[I]. DISBELIEF TRANSLATES ALL THE TRUTH TO NONSENSE
{{Luke 24:9-11 “and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James. Also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles, but these words appeared to them as nonsense and they would not believe them.”}} Of these women at the tomb, three were named and the others were mentioned as “the other women.” Mary of Magdala owed so much to the Lord. This is recorded of her – {{Mark 16:9 “Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene from whom He had cast out seven demons.”}} From a possessed, demonic woman she became one of the most grateful and devoted of the women who followed Jesus. Those who are forgiven much, love much, and those who love much, are the most devoted.
The gulf into which they had descended for three days had now risen to the mountain top, and it was the resurrection that had bridged the gulf and mountain. They could not contain themselves. Away they went to the eleven disciples and those gathered with them. Now these women were well known to the disciples, having served them and attending to their physical needs.
Over the years of ministry there had built up a trust and respect and appreciation between the disciples and the women, BUT even that was not sufficient to break down the barrier of fear and disbelief gripping the eleven. The vibrant testimony of the women did not penetrate the dulled senses of the men. The combined testimony of the women was no more than empty words to the gathered group and so it was dismissed as nonsense. They refused to believe even though the text indicates the women kept on telling (it is the continuous tense) the disciples but even their firm assurances could not break through. The message was not totally lost though, because Cleopas, who was among the company, said later that they were amazed at the women’s words and some of them went to the tomb and confirmed the faithful words of the women (verse 24).
Did you notice the other Mary who was with that group of women? It says she was the mother of James, that is, the mother of James and John. It is almost too incredibly that James and John, part of that group of Apostles in the upper room, would reject the obvious powerful statements of the women, and of their own mother, but they did. Indeed, the disciples heard but understood not; they listened but they remained in ignorance. We should not pontificate too much here because too many of us are the same. We read and hear the word of God but we don’t actively understand and spiritually apply the scriptures to our lives. In one ear and out the other.
[J]. WHAT TOOK HOLD OF PETER?
{{Luke 24:12 “but Peter arose and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only, and he went away to his home, marvelling at that which had happened.”}} One disciple in that group was more miserable than any of the others, overcome by his realisation of failure, and the utter frivolity of his carnal boasting, yet this was a very good and faithful man. That was Peter whose last encounter with his Lord was a look of confirmation at Peter’s third denial in the judgment hall. For a moment place yourself in Peter’s shoes -
{{Luke 22:60-62 but Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” and immediately, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed, and THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED AT PETER, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times,” and he went out and wept bitterly.”}} The Lord’s look contained more; maybe of love, of understanding, of sympathy or compassion, of gentleness; but in no conceivable way, was it a look of, “I told you so” or “a look of condemnation”. That look never departed from him. It smote him with failure, yet with brokenness and repentance. It left him a more humble, more mature, more perceptive man.
There is one touching thing here. You realise Peter was with the group of disciples in that upper room. He had not betrayed the Lord like Judas did but he denied the Lord, which was the operation of fear and cowardice. The disciples understood and accepted Peter and did not reject him in any way. Let us never judge Peter in any of this. I dare say many of us would have been no different. Boasting is vain and useless. Is there a “righteous boasting”? Yes, there is, but strictly in humility. Look at this passage -
{{Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might; let not a rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”}}
Now he heard the tale of the women and their recounting of the angels’ words, “. . . AND ON THE THIRD DAY RISE AGAIN.” Yes, there was hope. I’m sure something stirred in Peter, the recognition of his (at times) headlong devotion and commitment to his Lord. It was enough. Peter rose and ran all the way to see for himself, and stooping and looking in, his eyes confirmed the women’s story.
Luke mentions Peter then went away to his home. Somewhere between his time at the tomb and Peter’s gathering with the disciples that Sunday evening, an important but necessary meeting transpired. Light on this is shed by Paul in 1Corinthians 15:3-5 where he is outlining the factual content of the gospel. There he states in verse 4 that Christ was raised on the third day according to the scriptures and HE APPEARED TO CEPHAS (Peter) then to the twelve. Here we have confirmation that a private but necessary meeting with Peter was held before that evening gathering when Jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples. What transpired is between Peter and the Lord and it is not for sticky beaks to try to interfere to know what it was.
That is the only intimation of Peter’s necessary meeting with Jesus for his restoration, in the New Testament, and God has not revealed any aspect of it and justly so, since such an intimate, personal restoration between an erring saint and the Comforter of the saints, is not a matter for anyone else. We could guess that Peter broke down but knew the complete forgiveness of his Master, and went out in such a bold reassured confidence that he would never be the same again. Isn’t this the grace of God that such comfort in forgiveness and the joy of restoration is freely available for the very least of God’s saints.
All of that happened on the day of Resurrection. What a momentous day that was. What a similar day it will be when the Rapture happens and bodies of the saints in the grave arise. Even so, come Lord Jesus, You who are the first fruits of the resurrection! Amen!
TO END – JUST SOMETHING EXTRA – a poem of mine. It may be used in Christian ministry.
HE’S RISEN
He’s risen from the dead. He is not here.
O come and see the place where once He lay.
Except for cloths of burial in there,
The tomb remained vacant and on display.
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He’s risen now in pow’r. Angels confide.
He said He had authority to take
His life again, which once He’d laid aside -
Through Spirit power, by which death must quake.
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He’s risen evermore. No more He’ll die.
Defeated now, death’s stranglehold on man.
Through death, death has been overcome, to lie
In ruins at the cross, where life’s its ban.
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He’s risen now above. He’s heaven’s Lord.
In victory He’s at the Father’s side.
All earth and heaven witness He’s adored,
And praises rise from His redemption’s Bride.
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He’s risen for His own. Those ones who fled -
Confused and frightened men who left Him there.
His Shepherd’s heart to perfect peace He led,
To comfort them in sorrow with His care.
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He’s risen - first fruits is. Initial yield.
One day will follow Him all who are saved;
In whom eternal life with God is sealed,
To speed the golden pathway that He paved.
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He’s risen - gone before. His own He serves
In resurrection power - the contrite;
Those saints who now will wait upon His words,
“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Ron Ferguson. Poem is copyright but please use in Christian ministry.
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
