Luke 24:6-12: a reflection

6He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, 7saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” 8They remembered his words, 9returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.

When the women come to the tomb on the first day of the week, they find it empty, and angels declare to them the news that changes everything: He isn't here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be crucified, and the third day rise again. The tomb was empty because Christ was risen; death had not held him. And the angels point them back to his own words, which he had spoken beforehand: he had told them this would happen. The resurrection was not a surprise reversal but the fulfillment of what Christ had said; he is risen, as he had told them he would be.

Notice the announcement, and the call to remember: he is risen, as he had said. The tomb was empty, not because the body was taken, but because Christ was risen from the dead. Death had not held him; he lives. And the angels call the women to remember his own words, spoken beforehand: he had told them he would be crucified and rise the third day. The resurrection fulfilled what Christ had foretold; it was not an accident or a surprise, but exactly what he had said would happen. He is risen, just as he told them. The good news of the resurrection is grounded in Christ's own word, which came true: he said he would rise, and he is risen.

That is worth resting in, for Christ is risen, just as he said, and this is the good news that changes everything. We can forget the astonishing center of our faith: that Christ, crucified, is risen from the dead, having conquered death, just as he foretold. The tomb is empty; he is risen. And his rising, foretold in his own words and fulfilled, is the ground of all our hope. When your faith grows dim, remember the good news the angels declared: he is not here, but is risen, as he told them. Rest in the good news that Christ is risen, just as he foretold, having conquered death, as the angels declared to the women, he isn't here, but is risen, remember what he told you; for the resurrection of Christ is the center of our faith and the ground of our hope, fulfilling his own word that he would rise, and because he is risen, death is conquered and our hope is sure.

Lord Jesus, when the women come to the tomb on the first day of the week, they find it empty, and angels declare to them the news that changes everything: he isn't here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be crucified, and the third day rise again. The tomb was empty because you were risen; death had not held you. And the angels point them back to your own words, which you had spoken beforehand. Show me the announcement, and the call to remember: he is risen, as he had said. The tomb was empty, not because the body was taken, but because you were risen from the dead. Death had not held you; you live. And the angels call the women to remember your own words: you had told them you would be crucified and rise the third day. The resurrection fulfilled what you had foretold; it was exactly what you had said would happen. You are risen, just as you told them. The good news is grounded in your own word, which came true. Let me rest in that, for you are risen, just as you said, and this is the good news that changes everything. I can forget the astonishing center of my faith: that you, crucified, are risen from the dead, having conquered death, just as you foretold. The tomb is empty; you are risen. And your rising is the ground of all my hope. When my faith grows dim, help me remember the good news the angels declared: he is not here, but is risen, Lord. Help me rest in the good news that you are risen, just as you foretold, having conquered death, so that my hope is sure.