THEY REMEMBERED HIS WORDS

LK. 24:4-8 – While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.” And they remembered His words…

The disciples had seen and heard way more than they could remember those past three years, you would think they would remember this – that Jesus said He would rise from the dead. Who prophesies their own resurrection? Only Jesus could have said and done something like that. I wonder how many things I have forgotten that Jesus has done and said in my life these last fifty years? What about you? Maybe you have forgotten the power of the resurrection and His amazing promises He has made in your life. Maybe its time to take another trip in our heart and mind to the empty tomb. Listen again to the words of the angels, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you…”. He is waiting outside the empty tomb to meet you in the power of the resurrection one more time. Here is how J.C. Ryle describes this scene.

“‘They remembered his words.’ They had heard them, but made no use of them. Now after many days, they call them to mind. This dullness of memory is a common spiritual disease among believers. It prevails as widely now as it did in the days of the first disciples. It is one among many proofs of our fallen and corrupt condition. Even after men have been renewed by the Holy Ghost, their readiness to forget the promises and precepts of the gospel is continually bringing them into trouble. They hear many things that they ought to store up in their hearts, but seem to forget as fast as they hear.”

The resurrection of Christ confirms the supernatural nature of our Christian faith. Those first eyewitnesses of the resurrection moved in the power of God and shook their generation. The resurrection power is not depleted or has it diminished. His power is still working in and through His people. Remember the things He has spoken to you and don’t be surprised when the dead things in your world suddenly come alive.