Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

Luke 24:1 

Explanation:

To understand who is being referred to in this passage you must go back to the previous chapter. In Luke 23:50 we learn about a pharisee name Joseph who went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.  Apparently Pilate gave him permission to take the body.  In verse 53 we learn that he wrapped the body in a linen, and placed him in a brand new stone tomb.  In verses 54-55 we learn that it was the Sabbath, and so the women, his disciples from Galilee who had come with Jesus to Jerusalem, saw the wrapped body in this tomb.  They left to go prepare the spices and ointments traditional to preparing a body for burial.  In verse 56 we see that they couldn’t fully complete this process because of the Sabbath day.

“And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.”

Luke 23:56

Then comes the first day of the week.  These women who were now prepared to honor Jesus by finishing putting spices and ointments on his body came to the tomb.  Can you imagine their demeanor as they came?  Funerals and cemeteries are not known as fun, positive places to hang out.  Certainly this was a morbid and difficult task that they were coming to do.

Jesus was dead.  At least that was what they thought.

Certainly, even at this point, they weren’t thankful that He died.  And Jesus did die. He was physically dead and in the grave on Friday and Saturday. The most important act in human history was Christ’s death and subsequent resurrection.  But at this point they did not understand the significance of what had happened.

Jesus was dead.  At least that was what they thought.

Their emotions didn’t match reality.  Their vision of their future at the moment was not complete.  If you were to ask them to guess as to what would happen next they would have been wrong.  Their understanding of who Jesus is and what He could do was about to be expanded, and they had no idea.

Because as far as they knew Jesus was dead.  At least that was what they thought.

Can you imagine their conversation over the past couple of days.  Did their conversations with each other bring them any comfort or hope?  Was their plan to finish this morbid task and then head back to Galilee, defeated, despondent and depressed?

Jesus was dead.  At least that was what they thought.

Application:

Often the way we feel and reality do not match.  As I have heard from a wise person in my life over and over again, feelings make a great caboose, but they make a horrible engine.  

These people were doing all they knew to do to honor the Lord.  Yet, I’m sure their feelings about what had transpired were not in keeping with the truth of what had happened.  

We can be that way, too.  For the child of God, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  As difficult as things may get for us on this earth, our hope is secure, and our home is sure.  God does not promise prosperity for his followers.  In fact, he assured us that we will be hated by the world system.  But He told us, “be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” 

Response:

Are you discouraged?  Hope in God. 

Are you hurting?  Cast your cares on the Lord.

Is your sin forgiven?  If it is not, call on the name of the Lord to be saved.  If it is, rejoice in the Lord!

If you need someone to help pray for you, contact me!