Read Luke 24:1-12

They Remembered His Words

When the women arrived at the tomb and saw the stone rolled away, and they saw that the body of Jesus was not inside, the women who came with their spices “were greatly perplexed” (Luke 24:4). Then “two men stood by them in shining garments” (Luke 24:4), and the women “were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth” (Luke 24:5). Keep in mind that fear was the typical response to the appearance of an angel throughout the Bible; and while Mark and Luke call these being men, they are identified as angels in Matthew 28:5. They asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen!” (Luke 24:5-6).

People seek fulfillment and happiness in all sorts of places. Work, money, friendships, hobbies. If God is not a part of these things, however, they will fail to make a person truly happy. People want to enjoy life, but truly abundant life only comes from Jesus (John 10:10). Without Him, you will not find true happiness. We should not seek the living (Jesus) among the dead (worldly possessions and activities).

The angels encouraged the women, “Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again’” (Luke 24:6-7).

We need to pay attention to the words of Jesus, just as the women needed to bring those words back to their minds. They had been so overtaken by grief that they forgot His great promise. We must continue to study His Word and meditate on it to avoid the sometimes-overwhelming pressures of this world. We are often so distracted by day-to-day cares and needs that we forget His promises.

“And they remembered His words” (Luke 24:8). Upon remembering, they told others! If we focus on remembering His words, telling others the good news about Jesus, about what He did for us, and what He wants to do for us, perhaps we won’t be so distracted by the things of this world.