April 20, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 24:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 14:10-31; Hebrews 7:23-8:13

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen…” (Luke 24:5b-6a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The question asked by the angel is a peculiar question. The ladies have arrived to finish the burial process. The last couple of days were very unpredictable for the disciples and the followers of Jesus. They were prepared to celebrate the Passover, but then everything went sideways for them. Jesus is arrested, He is tried, He is crucified, and He is buried. The ladies did not have time to attend to the burial process faithfully. Then, when they arrive at the tomb, they are greeted with, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” I am sure the ladies were thinking, “Well, we are not looking for the living; we are looking for the dead.”

It is a change of events that takes place on Easter morning. The ladies were looking for the dead, but the angels corrected them by saying, “...you seek the living…” Jesus is Alive! Death is conquered. The tomb is open. The angels are present to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. If they wanted to see Jesus, they would not find Him with the dead.

We, too, can look for life among the dead. In our own deadness from sin, we search for life in a fallen world. We look to the popular philosophies that surround us for comfort and peace. Popular thought teaches that we need to find peace within ourselves in order to be truly alive. Life is redefined as joy, happiness, wealth, and popularity set by worldly standards. We are inundated with the cries of the world to conform to these worldly standards.

Real life only comes through Jesus Christ. The life He gives is not of this world. As the ladies were looking for Jesus, they were still of the mindset of the world. He died and is, therefore, “only” dead. Christ conquered death! No longer does the one thing that all of us succumb to prevail. Death is conquered. In your Baptism, you are made alive in Christ Jesus. Paul reminds His readers in Romans 6 that as we are Baptized into His death, we are Baptized into His resurrection. Your Baptism connects you to the resurrection of life. Your Baptism connects you to life in Christ. His life is your life. His resurrection from the grave is your resurrection from the grave. Because of your Baptism, right now you have eternal life. He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Amen!    

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Easter Sunday)

-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.