Dr. Zach Crook
In the book of Luke, the story of the greatest moment of human history is recorded: the resurrection. The apostle Paul explains that if Christ had not conquered the grave, then we should be pitied. However, because He rose from the dead, it changes everything for us and gives us a reason to celebrate. This victory over death gives us hope and allows us to look forward to eternal life because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. His conquering of the grave is the reason why Easter is considered the greatest day in human history. In Luke, it is recorded that Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins. He died on that cross, but three days later, we know that the grave could not hold Him. He conquered sin, death, and the devil and paved the way for us to have eternal life with Him. Through reading and reflecting on the story of the resurrection in Luke 24:1–8, we can find a deeper understanding of the sacrifice and triumph of Jesus.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness through Scripture
As we read through Luke 24, we can reflect multiple times on God’s faithfulness. It can be easy for us to simply move past Easter and the significance of Christ’s resurrection. We may have heard the story countless times and, thus, it can lose its impact on us. However, we are called to reflect and remember the miracle of Easter.
Even though we may have heard the story before, there is power in the words and the message it carries. This story has the power to change everything for us. It is important to remember the significance of Easter so that we can boldly live for Christ. In Luke 24, we see the women and the disciples struggling as their world was turned upside down. The angels reminded them to remember what Jesus had said while He was still in Galilee, that He would be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day. As they remembered His words, they gained a better understanding of what was happening.
Remembering God’s Words
When God speaks, we should pay attention. Throughout the Bible, we can see how God had a plan from the beginning. In Genesis 3:15, after the fall, God spoke to Eve about how the serpent would bruise her offspring’s heel, but her offspring would crush the head of the serpent. This foreshadowed the events that took place at Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and He crushed the serpent.
The Bible is filled with prophecies about Jesus, such as Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53, which speak of His death and how it would bring healing to us. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus, who had also spoken about His death and resurrection in John 2 and Matthew 12. It is important for us to remember all of this.
Therefore, let us take time to reflect on God’s Word and all that it tells us about Jesus. Just as the women and disciples were reminded to remember, let us also remember and gain a deeper understanding of what Easter truly means.
All of God’s Word is pointing towards Christ and the Gospel, revealing how we can be saved and have a right relationship with God through repentance and belief. This is not just about Jesus and what He did; it also gives us everything we need for life and godliness, as 2 Peter says. For example, 1 Corinthians 10 promises that no temptation will be too much for us to bear with the help of God’s Spirit, even in difficult seasons of life. James 1:5 assures us that we can ask God for wisdom, which is sorely needed in our culture today. John 10:10 promises us abundant life through Christ, and verse 29 assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Jeremiah 29:11 declares that God has good plans for our future, and Revelation 3:5 promises that if our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it can never be blotted out. We simply need to dive into God’s Word to discover all these incredible promises.
Spending Time in the Word
Life can often be busy and chaotic, making it easy for us to distance ourselves from spending time in God’s Word as we should. We may struggle to recall its promises even though we know we need to know them. If we believe that the Bible contains everything we need for life and godliness, it makes sense to prioritize reading it daily. One pastor likened the Bible to bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions—it is our sustenance.
We need to remember God’s Word, especially during difficult times, as His promises can serve as an anchor that keeps us connected to Him. In addition to remembering His Word, we should also remember God’s works. Throughout Scripture and in our own lives, we can witness how God has moved and worked in various ways. We should reflect on a time when we felt God’s presence and consider how He is still actively working today.
In the book of 1 Samuel, the Israelites turned to the prophet Samuel for help when they feared an impending attack from the Philistines. Samuel offered a burnt offering to God and cried out on behalf of Israel, and God answered his prayers. The Lord caused confusion among the Philistine army, and Israel emerged victorious. Samuel built a monument named Ebenezer to remind the Israelites that it was the Lord who gave them victory. Similarly, we should remember and acknowledge how God has helped us in our own lives.
Making Remembrance a Daily Practice
It can be easy for all of us to forget how God has moved and worked in our lives. To help us remember, one suggestion is to take pictures or write down different things God has done for us. We need to remember that Jesus didn’t just talk about doing things. Instead, He actually lived a perfect life, died on the cross in our place, and rose from the dead. We should ask God to bring to mind times when He has moved and worked in our lives. Even when we’re struggling with doubt, we can remember that up to this point, the Lord has helped us. If we’re having trouble seeing how God has worked in our lives, it’s important to keep seeking and trusting Him.
Next Steps
When struggling with faith, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. The response of the disciples, who initially did not believe the women’s report of the empty tomb, can serve as a reminder that doubts are normal. However, it’s crucial to turn to God’s Word and remember His works. Peter’s example in John of running to the tomb shows the importance of seeking a personal encounter with Jesus. We cannot rely on secondhand faith, but must place our trust in Jesus as our Savior. When we stand before God one day, the only way to eternal life is through our personal faith in Jesus, who died for our sins. The good news of the gospel is that we can have a firsthand encounter with God through faith in Jesus.
Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we have hope. According to the Bible, sin leads to death, but God offers the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Regardless of why you are here this morning, or if you’re struggling to see how God has moved in your life, you can always look back to the cross and the empty tomb as evidence of God’s help. Think about how God has moved and worked in your life and look back to the cross and the empty tomb as proof of His love for you.