Text: Luke 24:1-35
When the women reached the tomb, very early in the morning, the angel told them that Jesus Christ is risen (vv.1-7). The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the major or central theme of Christian history. It is on the resurrection of Jesus Christ that the church is built, otherwise, there would be no church today. It is unique; other religions may have varying strong ethical beliefs on after life, and/or varying holy scriptures, but it is only Christianity that has a God who became man, died for His people, raised up again in power and glory and He is the head of His church forever.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is important because: (1). The world is in for redemption, not disaster. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is actively destroying sin and preparing us for Jesus’ second coming; (2). Death has been defeated and we too will be raised from the dead and be with Christ in eternity; (3). It gives the church the authority to witness in and to the world; (4). It gives meaning to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; (5). It helps us, Christians, to find the meaning, even in tragedy, by giving us hope for the future; (6). It assures us that Christ is alive, not a legend, ruling His Kingdom; (7). It assures us of the presence of God’s power that resurrected Jesus from the dead, and empowers us to live for Him in this evil world.
It is important to note the ministry of women in proclaiming the gospel (v.10).
Interestingly it is said that Joanna’s husband was a steward to King Herod.
She was the main source of some of the information that Luke wrote about King Herod (8:3). All this is done against the cultural beliefs by first Century
Jews, in which a testimony of women was not highly regarded. This gives us encouragement that we do not have any excuse not to witness for Christ, all we need is to trust and obey the Holy Spirit.
Meditate on verse 32. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, may Your Word lighten my heart and
mind. Amen.