Conqueror of Death
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Luke 24:6-7
The women waited through the Sabbath and then gathered spices and headed for the tomb on the third day to finish preparing the body for burial. They knew a huge stone had been rolled across the opening and wondered how they’d move it. But when they got there, they found the stone rolled to one side and an empty tomb. Suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” When the men reminded the women of what Jesus had said, they remembered his words (Luke 24:1-5).
The women told the disciples what had happened, but they were slow to believe. Their report meant little to them, as did the story of two men who’d encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, or even the report of Peter and John who’d seen the empty tomb, empty graveclothes.
But then Jesus himself stood among them and said, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-45).
They remembered he’d told them specifically: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” He’d not only told them he’d die, but he’d rise again.
We can’t understand the miracle of the resurrection unless we remember the life and words of Jesus Christ. He’s the Master, in control of everything—even water and fish. He’s our Deliverer who sets us free from all bondages and burdens. He supplies all our needs, including our need for atonement from sin. He’s our Resurrection and Life. He rose from the dead, and we too will be raised from death to eternal life.
When you’re tempted to be overcome with grief, fear, or unbelief, remember his promises of resurrection and life.
DIG DEEPER:
Why didn’t people recognize the resurrected Jesus? What did he do in his resurrected, transformed body that he’d done before and what did he do differently according to Luke 24:28-43?
According to John 20:14-29 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, who else saw the risen Jesus Christ? Why did Paul describe himself as abnormally or untimely born?
See also other devotions for Lent/Easter such as http://www.digdeeperdevotions.com/2011/02/27/christ-the-lord-is-risen-today/ or http://www.digdeeperdevotions.com/2012/02/28/the-risen-christ/
Nancy J. Baker
This devotion is part of a series, The Miracles of the Messiah.