Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 24:1-12; Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; John 20 "THEY FOUND THE STONE ROLLED AWAY" Luke 24:1"
Day 336 – Luke 24
Text: Luke 24:1-12; Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; John 20
“THEY FOUND THE STONE ROLLED AWAY” Luke 24:1
The women disciples of Jesus were not quite sure how they would manage to get into the tomb of their beloved Teacher, but they came anyway, bringing more spices with them to anoint His body.
Luke’s account could be easily added to what we read in the Gospel of Matthew.
“Now on the first day of the week,
very early in the morning, they (Cf. Luke 23:55-56)
and certain other women with them,
came to the tomb bringing the spices which
they had prepared. But they found the stone
rolled away from the tomb.
Then they went in and did not find the body of Jesus.
And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this,
That behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.”
Luke 24:1-4
Luke mentioned the presence of “two men… in shining garments.” These were no doubt the angels of God. He wrote that the two angels spoke to the women. In Matthew’s account, only one angel spoke. There really is no difficulty at all in understanding this difference.
In the story of the healing that took place in Gadara, Jesus healed two men in that region in Matthew’s account (Matthew 8:28-34). In Luke’s account, Jesus was described as talking to just one of the two men. His name was called Legion (Luke 8:26-40).
The differences in the Gospel accounts with reference to details are due to the selection process of the Gospel writer. There were two angels sent. Both probably contributed to the communication of the message they had from the Lord to the women. Matthew decided that the mention of one angel speaking to the women would suffice. The message was the important detail, rather than the number of angels.
The presence of the angels brought so much fear to the hearts of the women, that they “bowed their faces to the earth.” (Luke 24:5). Luke focused on the presence of the angelic beings, while Matthew dwelt more on the message that they brought.
THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS: “HE IS RISEN!”
Luke wrote,
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen!
Remember how He spoke to you
When He was 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 24:5-7
In Matthew’s account, the message of the angel was given in greater detail. Let’s take a look at that account.
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus
who was crucified.
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly and tell His disciples
That He is risen from the dead,
And indeed He is going before you into Galilee;
There you will see Him.
Behold, I have told you.”
Matthew 28:5-7
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS EMPHASISED
The angels of the Lord emphasized three important things to the women folk.
1. “As He said…” Matthew 28:6
It was important that the women disciples were to understand that the resurrection of Jesus was predicted. His words ought to have been trusted. Did they not know that every word of Jesus was to be believed? Did He not say,
“Heaven and earth may pass away,
But My words will by no means pass away.”
Luke 21:33
In Luke’s account, the angel said to the women,
“Remember how He spoke to you…
and the third day rise again…”
Luke 24:6,7
The resurrection took place as Jesus had predicted. The angels wanted to reinforce this truth to the women disciples, and not just the fact of the resurrection itself.
2. “Come, see the place where the Lord lay…” Matthew 28:6
Doubts are very difficult to dislodge. The angels knew that this was one of the problems that the women had to deal with. The best way to deal with their doubts would be to confront the doubts head on.
Did they doubt that Jesus had risen from the dead? They could and should check out that the tomb was indeed empty!
3. “Behold, I have told you…” Matthew 28:7
Angels of the Lord carried great authority and power. They could indeed say, with all authority, “Behold, I have told you” with tremendous effect.. This was exactly what the angel said to the women disciples. The battle with doubts must be won decisively!