Luke 24:1-53

On that early Sunday morning some women came to Jesus' tomb with spices which they had prepared.  Upon their arrival they saw that the stone which had blocked the entrance had been rolled away.  They stooped down and went inside only to see "two men...in shining garments."  They said to the startled women, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen!"  The women did not see Jesus, but they did see two angels who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead.  The ladies went running to the apostles and told them what happened.  However, "their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them."

But Peter took off and ran to the tomb.  When he got there, he didn't see the Lord, either.  Instead, "he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves."  And the tomb was empty.

Next we find two disciples on the road to Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.  We know that the name of one disciple was Cleopas.  Luke 24:18.  He was married, and his wife's name was Mary.  John 19:25.  She had seen Jesus on the cross, and could have been one of the "other women" who went to the tomb.  Some Bible teachers think that she may have been the second disciple.

Anyhow, "they talked together of all these things which had happened."  Jesus joined them, but they didn't realize that the stranger was the Lord.  They told Him about the women and their vision of angels, and the subsequent visit to the tomb where Jesus' body was not found.  At that time "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."  Luke 24:27.  Later, as Jesus sat at the table and broke bread with them, "their eyes were opened and they knew Him."  Luke 24:31.  Jesus vanished, and they returned to Jerusalem and told the apostles about their experience.

While the apostles were discussing these things, "Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them."  Luke 24:36.  Even then they were slow to believe.  They "supposed they had seen a spirit," but Jesus showed them His hands and His feet.  He said, "A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."  He then ate some fish.  The resurrection of Christ was not a spiritual resurrection, but rather a bodily resurrection.

The good news is that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."  1 Corinthians 15:3, 4.  Oh, yes..."and that He was seen...."  1 Corinthians 15:5.

The Lord is risen indeed!

Heavenly Father, how wonderful it is to know that Your Son has conquered sin and death!  He is risen!  Yes, He is risen indeed!  Fill us with Your Spirit that we might be faithful witnesses for our risen Lord.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!