Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Luke 24:5
There has never been a more important message than the news that Jesus had risen from the grave. The women who intended embalming the Lord’s body and the disciples Peter and John found the tomb empty. Then the risen Lord met them Himself. No event in world history has had greater significance and more extensive consequences than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The women and the disciples were both astonished and appalled when they discovered that the tomb of Jesus was empty. In addition there was the appearance of two men in shining garments. We can well imagine the women’s consternation. Although – hadn’t their Master previously told them that He would rise again the third day? “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” was the angels’ question. It was no reproach, although it does indicate that they should have known better. If they had heeded the Lord Jesus’ words more attentively, they would not have come to embalm His body. How could He, the Prince of life, be held in death? (cf. Acts 2:27; 3:15).
The miracle of Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that His cry on the cross: “It is finished!” corresponded to the facts (John 19:30). He did indeed atone for sins on the cross, and His resurrection is the proof that God accepted His atoning sacrifice. There cannot be the slightest doubt as to the perfection of His work of redemption. Gratefully and joyfully believers now proclaim: He was “delivered up because of our offences, and was raised because of our justification” (Romans 4:25).