As the sun begins to rise on this Resurrection Sunday, April 9, 2023, I reflect upon one of the most memorable accounts of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ found in Luke 24:1-9 ((New Living Translation):
The Resurrection
24 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.
In thinking about this account of the women at the empty tomb, this original reflective piece also comes to mind:
The words of Jesus Christ remind us of his unique position as the Son of God, raised from the dead, who is alive forevermore.
As we reflect on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ this weekend, one of the most memorable accounts of that memorable event is found in Luke 24:1-9:
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”
8And they remembered His words. 9Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
I thought of this account of the women at the empty tomb which inspired this original reflective piece: “Witness”
Witness
Luke 24:1-9
The account of the women at the empty tomb
Though we did not journey with the women
In the dark before dawn that first day,
Nor were we walking, weeping with them when
Two angels spoke, nor did we hear them say,
“He is not here but risen as he said;
Recall that on the third day he should rise;
Why seek you the living among the dead?”
Though we did not see with our naked eyes,
In our hearts, we know God’s desire to bless.
Though we did not touch Christ, nor did we see
The open tomb, yet we still bear witness.
We have a more sure word of prophecy.
By the spirit, fruit of our Promised Seed,
We surely know He is risen, risen, indeed.
We close with this music video by Keith and Kristyn Getty: “Christ is Risen He is Risen, Indeed.”
As the sun begins to rise on this Resurrection Sunday, April 1, 2018, I reflect upon one of the most memorable accounts of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is found in Luke 24:1-9:
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”
8And they remembered His words.
9Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
In thinking about this account of the women at the empty tomb, this reflective piece also comes to mind: “Witness”
Witness
Luke 24:1-9 The account of the women at the empty tomb
Though we did not journey with the women
In the dark before dawn that first day,
Nor were we walking, weeping with them when
Two angels spoke, nor did we hear them say,
“He is not here but risen as he said;
Recall that on the third day he should rise;
Why seek you the living among the dead?”
Though we did not see with our naked eyes,
In our hearts we know God’s desire to bless.
Though we did not touch Christ nor did we see
The open tomb, yet we still bear witness.
We have a more sure word of prophecy.
By the spirit, fruit of our Promised Seed,
We surely know He is risen, risen, indeed.
We close with this lively reminder from Eddie James that “He’s Alive!”:
One of the most moving accounts associated with the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, occurred when the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus, who had been crucified three days prior, found an empty tomb.
Luke 24:1-9 (New Living Translation) describe this sequence of events:
1But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.
This record of the women at the empty tomb became the inspiration for the following poem which ends with the traditional greeting and response heard on the morning of the resurrection:
Witness
Luke 24:1-9 The account of the women at the empty tomb
Though we did not journey with the women
In the dark before dawn that first day,
Nor were we walking, weeping with them when
Two angels spoke, nor did we hear them say,
“He is not here but risen as he said;
Recall that on the third day he should rise;
Why seek you the living among the dead?”
Though we did not see with our naked eyes,
In our hearts we know God’s desire to bless.
Though we did not touch Christ nor did we see
The open tomb, yet we still bear witness.
We have a more sure word of prophecy.
By the spirit, fruit of our Promised Seed,
We surely know He is risen, risen, indeed.
Israel Houghton and Covenant Church remind us, lest we forget: “He’s Risen”
In reflecting upon the events leading up the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ and his subsequent resurrection, three poems came to mind that I would like to share in this blog entry for the Thursday of Holy Week. From time to time I attempt to comprehend to a limited degree the unimaginable anguish and suffering that the Savior took upon himself on my behalf. The scriptures speak of “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . . who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame. . . .” As I read about or view in a film or some other graphic portrayal, such as The Passion of the Christ, I am sometimes tempted to scream, “Enough is enough.” Such sentiments I express in this first poem which was composed on Resurrection Sunday, March 31, 2001:
More than Enough
How much is enough?
Can you measure the length of each scar on his back?
Can you trace the depth of each gash and follow each track?
Can you extract and analyze sweat, like drops of blood?
Can you remove water and blood and then weigh the good?
Can you collect the tears and hold them in a vial?
Can you assess the shame and disgrace of trumped up trial?
How much is enough?
One more mocking bow, one more man to spit in his face,
One more taunting gesture, one more mark of disgrace.
One more lash, one more gash, one more blow to the head,
As he endured the cross, despising the shame as he bled.
To smash once more, one blow short of certain death.
He cried, “It is finished” then yielded his last breath.
How much is enough?
Who can assess the worth of his blood and establish a price
For the precious Lamb of God, unblemished, sinless sacrifice?
God’s bounty of mercy is sufficient. His deep love will suffice.
Despite the deficit, God balances each account to set it right.
Where sin once had free reign, now grace has abounded instead.
The Lord himself provided the Lamb, whom He raised from the dead.
In His gracious goodness Jehovah-Jireh reminds us
That He is more than enough, yes, so much more than enough.
Listen to this corresponding musical composition, “More than Enough” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir:
Taking It Personally
As is often the case, Holy Week, or the commemoration of the last week of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, takes place during the same period as the Jewish Passover celebration. Such was the case in 1998 when Passover began at sunset on Good Friday, April 15. The congregation at my church partook of the Lord Supper or Holy Communion, and although I had taken communion seemingly countless times prior to that particular occasion, I apprehended to a much greater degree the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ and was inspired to compose this poem:
Taking It Personally
Isaiah 53
Cursed with a curse, He was hung on a tree.
The suffering servant bartered for a price,
Battered and bruised for my iniquity.
Behold the Lamb, unblemished sacrifice,
Offered once, Jesus Christ, my Passover.
Afflicted, stricken, smitten that God should
Freely pour out His mercy, moreover,
Lay on Him the chastisement of my peace.
From His side flowed water and sinless blood,
A new covenant established that I might cease
From dead works by a new and living way.
God’s good pleasure no longer concealed
But memorialized this solemn day.
Man of sorrows, with His stripes I am healed
In spirit, mind and body, for I am
Quickened and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
April 15, 1998
Passover
Recently I discovered this recording which expresses in part my response on that unforgettable Good Friday/Passover: “Just for Me” by Donnie McClurkin.
Witness
On a number of past occasions, when I first awoke on Resurrection Sunday, I would greet my wife or our daughters with the words “He is risen,” and the corresponding response would be “He is risen, indeed.” This phrase turns out to be the closing phrase in this poem:
Witness
Luke 24:1-9
The account of the women at the empty tomb
Though we did not journey with the women
In the dark before dawn that first day,
Nor were we walking, weeping with them when
Two angels spoke, nor did we hear them say,
“He is not here but risen as he said;
Recall that on the third day he should rise;
Why seek you the living among the dead?”
Though we did not see with our naked eyes,
In our hearts we know God’s desire to bless.
Though we did not touch Christ nor did we see
The open tomb, yet we still bear witness.
We have a more sure word of prophecy.
By the spirit, fruit of our Promised Seed,
We surely know He is risen, risen, indeed.
“My Soul is a Witness” is a traditional Black spiritual sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers in a recording made in 1920. Click here to access a link to an article discussing the contribution of this musical ensemble who were pioneers in developing the spiritual and sharing it with the world. The group has a special connection with Columbus, Ohio where I formerly lived.
Because of what the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished through his suffering, his death, burial and resurrection, we can all be “a witness for my Lord.”
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