By James Riley Strange, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of New Testament, Samford University
God is Faithful
Luke 24:1–12
The Bible is clear that Jesus’ resurrection is a miracle unlike other resurrections. In Luke 8:40–56, Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. That was a response to an unexpected tragedy. Luke tells us that Jesus’ death and resurrection was prophesied in Scripture (24:27), that Jesus Himself prophesied it (9:22; 18:31–34; compare 13:32–33; 22:22, 37), and that through it, God “loosed the pangs of death” (Acts 2:24). This has implications for us as we think about what we, like the disciples at the empty tomb, proclaim and how through our actions people catch a glimpse of the risen Lord.
The resurrection shows God makes the impossible possible. (1–3)
Today’s passage continues the story of the interment in the rock-hewn tomb which “the women who had come with Him from Galilee” saw (23:55). At that time, they began preparing spices and ointments to anoint the body on the day after the Sabbath. Normally one does this only for a family member, for to touch a corpse renders a person unclean with the most virulent form of uncleanness.
Although we find no woman’s name in lists of the Twelve (see Luke 6:14–16 and Acts 1:13) the Gospels tell us that women were among Jesus’ larger group of disciples (compare 24:10 with 8:1–3, where these women accompany him along with the Twelve).
Out of all of Jesus’ disciples, these are the only ones who give Jesus this honor. But the stone has been rolled away and the body they have come to treat as they would a son, brother or father is gone. They do not appear to know that they are seeing the result of a miracle.
The resurrection shows God always does what He says. (4–8)
The two men “in dazzling apparel” remind the disciples of what Jesus told them back in Galilee before they began their long trek to Jerusalem, which means that these women were present when Jesus asked, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They were probably among the disciples who answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” They also heard Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ of God” (Luke 9:18–20). Jesus told them to keep that news to themselves.
The resurrection shows God is not bound by unbelief. (9–12)
They will proclaim this news “to the eleven and to all the rest.” Two things happened on that Sunday: the first post-Easter proclamation of the gospel and the first post-Easter reception of the gospel, which was unbelief. And that from the apostles!
We don’t know why the men treated the women’s eyewitness account like “an idle tale.” We do know that they came to believe it. What made the difference? Read the rest of Chapter 24; they encountered the risen Lord for themselves.
Why is God not bound by unbelief? Because the living Jesus draws near and walks with people (24:15). The unbelief of the apostles is reasonable, isn’t it? Jesus Himself told them He would be raised, yes, but then they saw Him die on that cross (23:49). Even for us, words are not enough. We too believe because our Lord has drawn near and walked with us, don’t we?
As we proclaim Christ risen, may we also be dissatisfied with words alone. May we draw near and walk with those to whom we proclaim the gospel, and through us may they catch a glimpse of the risen Lord.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Share with others: