A Word for the Wondering

Luke 24:1–12 KJV

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Perplexity is Part of Following Christ

God’s ways are seldom expected

If the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he foretold the resurrection, the others may not have, either.

Jesus: they expected a political Messiah who would overthrow the oppressive order; Jesus came as a baby, an unassuming man, and subverted the system in a completely unexpected way

Jesus will return in an hour that you think not

Unexpected experiences leave us perplexed

2 Co 4.8-10 “8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

Remain curious

The fact that the two men appeared while they were perplexed suggests to me that they remained to consider the surprising situation.

What is God up to?

Moses: turned aside to see the burning bush

Revelation is the reward

Your memory of God’s word

A note on revelation: revelation is an illumination of what’s embedded in the word. True revelation will align with line-upon-line analysis of the Word;

God does not deny himself

Joanna (the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward Lk 8.3), Mary Magdalene (Jesus had cast out seven devils Mk 16.9; Lk 8.2.), and Mary mother of James: an obscure figure

Regardless of prominence, you can connect with God and be used by God.

Others need to know

These women were compelled to share, not because they were instructed, but because what they had experienced brought new insight and light into their understanding, and they felt compelled to tell others

Overcome intimidation

Dismissed as idle tales

Women were notoriously disregarded in this cultural setting

Prejudicial treatment can be expected for believers; people will marginalize what they don’t understand or appreciate

Disbelieved

If we believe not, yet he abides faithful

Courage to Believe

All of this happened outside the knowledge of the apostles

This makes God fascinating: he’s bigger than us, and his ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

God does some significant things without our awareness, and certainly without our permission.

How do we respond when what God does happens outside of our view?

Rise, and run toward

Lk 24.12 “12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”

Listen when others dismiss

Try the spirits, whether they be of God

Disregard (peer) pressure to conform

If we believe not, yet he abides faithful

See for yourself

Taste and see

Search the Scriptures daily, whether these things are so Ac 17.11.

Jn 4.41-42 “41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Lean into the experience, and see what God will do.

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