While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. As they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

– Luke 24:4-5

The actions of the women who followed Jesus from Galilee can be seen as fulfilling Jesus’ teachings in The look of excruciating love in His eyes as Jesus suffered and died still haunted the women who followed Him. Now, on the third day since His sacrifice, they came to the tomb to anoint His body with love, applying aromatic spices and perfumes. But they found the tomb empty. Jesus wasn’t there!

The women were confused and afraid – until the angels reminded them of two things. First, they were looking in the wrong place. They were seeking the living among the dead. Second, they were forgetting what Jesus had told them – that He would rise again on the third day.

How often do we look for our answers in the wrong place, pursuing pleasures and passions to solve our problems, instead of looking to Jesus? How often do we forget His Word, filling our minds with the distractions and details of our complicated lives, instead of taking time to focus on Him and His words of peace?

Praise the Lord that Jesus does not wait for us to find Him before He blesses us! His is not a dead body that we have to search out and claim. Jesus is alive, and He comes to us! He comes to us in His Word; He comes to us in His sacraments; He comes to us in the caring touches and smiles of His people.

We are the living Body of Christ, called to share His Word and His love with a confused and fearful world. Spread the Good News today. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Prayer:

Jesus, praise You for your victory over death, and for making me part of Your living Body today.

Daily Reading: Luke 24

– Contributed by Pastor Stephen Moser