I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3: 10-11 (NIV)
Scripture: Luke 24: 1-12
Many of us cannot comprehend the power that was needed to raise a dead Man to life. Raise Jesus it did to complete the plan of salvation. This devotion looks at what Scriptures tell us about Jesus’ resurrection and how that same power is available to us during our trials.
The tomb was sealed and guarded. The disciples were in hiding, fearing for their lives.
And then the most amazing thing happened. We get pretty much the same story in all four of the gospels so we can get the gist of what happened even if some decided to focus on specific (and different) things while others gave a more comprehensive picture.
The gospels agree that the women went to the tomb on the first day of the week after the Sabbath. They agree it was early — but it may have still been dark (Jn. 20: 1), dawn (Mt. 28: 1), or after sunrise (Mk. 16: 2). Depending on how far they had to travel, I could see them starting out in the dark and getting there after sunup.
Not all of the women who were present were named. Luke gives us the most comprehensive list. “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles” (Lk. 24: 10 NKJV). Mark 16: 1 also names Salome. The two Mary’s seem to be the main characters.
The purpose of going to the tomb was to finish preparing the body for burial. They had brought more spices (Lk. 24: 1) and were going to anoint Jesus (Mk. 16: 1).
None of the gospels in verse 1 say the women were expecting an empty tomb. At this point, they were not stepping out in faith.
Mark tells us of the concern the women had about who would roll away the stone for them (16: 3). As the stone was very large, this would have been a legitimate concern (Mk. 16: 4). Yes, they were still focused on their plans.
No, they didn’t have to worry about the stone. All of the writers agree the tomb was open when the women got there. Matthew said it was opened by the angels, and the opening was accompanied by an earthquake (28: 2).
Now, Matthew 28: 2 and Mark 16: 5 say there was one angel. Luke says there was two (24: 4). Matthew 28: 2 says the angel sat on the stone outside the tomb. Luke 24: 3-4 and Mark 16: 5 indicate the angel(s) were inside.
Luke and Matthew both describe the angels as being bright. Matthew describes the angel’s “… countenance was like lightning” (28: 3), while Luke says the angels had “…shining garments (24: 4). Regardless of their appearance, they really scared the guards, because these hardened Roman soldiers fainted (Mt. 28: 4).
Matthew, Mark, and Luke have variations of the same theme when it comes to what the angel said — because if there were two, only one probably spoke. “Don’t be afraid” was the opening statement with the acknowledgment that they were looking for Jesus (Mt. 28: 5; Mk. 16: 6; Lk. 24: 6).
I always thought that was interesting. The angels didn’t say the women were looking for Jesus’ body — which they were. The angel said, “… You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified …” (Mk. 16: 6 NKJV). To me, the angel said, “You are seeking the living Man.”
I can see the angel saying, “He is risen. He is not here. Check it out” (Mt. 28: 5; Mk. 16: 6). I can also see him saying, “… Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Lk. 24: 5 NKJV). The Jews were good at asking questions when they thought something should have been obvious.
The angel probably thought it should have been obvious. He reminded them of what Jesus told them. “… The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Lk. 24: 7 NKJV). Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like they remembered until he jogged their memory.
Then came the good part. “Run and tell everyone else. Oh, and especially tell Peter.” Yep, the angel (really God) knew Peter was kicking himself after denying the Lord three times (Mt. 26: 69-75; Mk. 14: 66-72; Lk. 21: 54-62; Jn. 18: 15-18, 25-27).
And not only that — the angel said Jesus would meet everyone in Galilee (Mt. 28: 7). They were actually going to get to see Jesus again!
And they did! Matthew and Mark reported that Jesus was spotted before the women left the tomb. Mark says it was just Mary Magdalene (Mk. 16: 9) while Matthew says it was all of them (Mt. 28: 9).
Mark’s account on the surface seems to contradict itself. I don’t think it does. Mark 16: 8 says, “So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” (NKJV) while Mark 16: 10 says, She [Mary Magdalene] went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept” (NKJV). John 20: 15 also showed how Jesus appeared to Mary.
Probably, the joy and excitement was just bubbling out of the women. So much so, they probably wanted to tell everyone they met. But they were cautious. Remember, the disciples were hiding, in fear for their lives (Jn. 20: 19).
Of course, the men didn’t really believe the women when they told them Jesus was alive again (Mk. 16: 11; Lk. 24: 11).
Peter and John had to check it out for themselves. John ran faster and got there first but was afraid to go in (Jn. 20: 4-5). Impulsive Peter, on the other hand, barreled on in (Jn. 20: 6). As incredulous as it seemed, John believed (Jn. 20: 8).
What Does This Mean?
This means that the plan of salvation was complete. The relationship with God that was shattered when Adam and Eve committed the original sin (Gen. 3) was restored. It was shattered for everyone, no matter how good of a person we think we are and how many good things we do for other people. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm” (I Pet. 3: 18 HCSB).
If you have not admitted that your relationship is not right with God,
have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior,
and have not confessed your sins,
please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
The restoration was accomplished because “…Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures” (I Cor. 15: 3 GNT). Jesus fulfilled His purpose: “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners …” (I Tim. 1: 15 NIV). That is us.
Jesus did that by being “…an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph. 5: 2 NIV). He shed His blood for us because that was the only acceptable payment to restore the relationship.
But it is more than that. Jesus died, but He rose again. That provided the way for us to be born of the spirit. “… Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn. 3: 5-6 NKJV).
But it is even more than that. Jesus’ gospel was not only that He died for our sins. He also preached that the kingdom of God is coming. “But he said to them, ‘I must preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God in other towns also, because that is what God sent me to do’ (Lk. 4: 43 GNT).
What Does That Mean for Us Today?
Philippians 3: 10-11 is part of what it means for us. (If we talked about what it all means, it would be a book, not a devotion. So, let’s focus on a part.)
There is a song that talks about that resurrecting power being in us. That power is in us because God is in us.
Wait a second here. We kind of like the “power” statement. We like that God is in control — most of the time — because it seems like it is positive.
We are not so sure about this “sharing in his sufferings” and “like him in his death” bit. It sounds like it would hurt.
Yep, it probably will. John the Baptist said that Jesus would “… baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk. 3: 16 ESV). It hurts when fire burns us.
I remember when I was younger the pasture caught on fire. Mom and Dad weren’t too concerned because it was more of a smolder than a raging fire. Plus, it was on the other side of the creek so it couldn’t get to the house. In fact, Dad was happy because it was going to burn up the dead leaves.
I also remember years ago when everyone was concerned when Yellowstone National Park caught on fire. They were concerned of the destruction. But the park actually thrived once the dead stuff was burnt off.
When we are in the heat of the trials, it is easy to just focus on what is happening — the circumstances, the hurt, the disillusionment. What we have to remember is, as believers, we have this awesome, mighty power in us that can help us overcome whatever trial is thrust upon us. We just have to tap into that power.
If God can raise Jesus from the grave, He can vanquish anything that threatens us. We need to stand back and let Him fight for us. He will do that for us. He did send His Son to die to restore the relationship so He could, didn’t He?
Gracious, merciful Heavenly Father. You reside in the core of our being. You have the power to speak this world into existence (Gen. 1). You have the power to raise Your Son from the grave. You have the power to control whatever happens in our lives. Help us to tap into that power as we focus on You, not our circumstances. Bring us through these trials so that we can give You the glory and the praise. Amen.
To read Peace, Mercy, and Love where we look at how God resides in the core of our being, click the button below.
What do you think? Have you ever recognized God’s power working in you when it could only be described as being as strong as the resurrection power? Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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