HOLY WEEK DEVOTION – DAY 3

THE ANNOUNCEMENT:  ANGELS PROCLAIM CHRIST’S RESURRECTION.LUKE 24:1-9

PASTOR DAN WENDELL

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And 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? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Some of the toughest things we encounter as human beings occur when our reality fails to meet our expectations.  This may have to do with a friendship that only goes one way, a pregnancy that does not reach full term, or a marriage that fails to deliver on much “bliss”. We can feel discouraged, disoriented and at times deeply hurt. But what about those times when reality is so much better than our expectation? Even then, we can find ourselves disoriented or disbelieving, asking ourselves “What’s the catch?” or “What’s the rest of the story?” Expectations have a powerful influence on how we process our reality.

To their credit, the women who went to care for Jesus’ body were not dominated by their expectations. In fact, the text describes a fear-filled and humble encounter with the angels as they bowed their faces to the ground. With such a posture, they were able to consider the testimony of the angels and the evidence that was before them...and they believed. Their reaction stands in sharp contrast to the apostles who hear their account a short time later.

Both the women and the apostles walked the countryside around the Sea of Galilee with Jesus. Together they had seen food multiplied, the blind given sight and yes, even the dead raised to life. Together they had heard Jesus share about his coming death and resurrection. Despite their shared experience, the apostles’ expectations about the Son of Man and the finality of death dominated their thinking. They responded to the women’s testimony in disbelief and considered it to be an idle tale (vs. 11). They did not yet have a category for a resurrected Jesus. They did not yet comprehend the fullness of the work that Jesus had accomplished that Friday afternoon.

Paul would later explain, “as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Rom 5:18). He would go on to say that sin reigned in death. However, “grace … reign(s) through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:21). In other words, Adam brought condemnation and death into the world though his sin, but faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross, grants sinners justification before God. The empty tomb gives us proof that Jesus has the power to overcome the trappings of death and open a new pathway to eternal life.

The women who approached Jesus’ tomb on that Sunday morning expected to find a battered, decaying body – the slaughtered lamb of God. Instead, they received better news than they might possibly have imagined. With growing hope and excitement, “they remembered Jesus’ words” and became the first heralds of the Resurrection as they communicated the good news to others. Ultimately, they would come to revel and rejoice in the completed work of their Lord and Savior.

Call to Action:

1.         Fear is a right response when standing before angelic beings…and even more so before a holy God. As you reflect on the price that Jesus paid, rejoice in the gift of faith and the forgiveness of your sins, which allows you to approach the Father with confidence.

2.         What expectations do you carry into Holy Week? Are you anticipating familiar worship songs, easter egg hunts, or perhaps a special meal with family? Pray for a spirit of humility that would help you to set down any expectations and receive the message of the cross and empty tomb with fresh eyes and an open heart.