Dear Christian friends:

Luke 24:58: "In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”Then they remembered his words."

We have gathered here this morning to look back and remember another morning almost 2,000 years ago, and to hear again the wonderful things that happened on the first Easter Day.

These wonderful events are written four times in our Bible. God wants us to believe them. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write about these important events. Luke is the only one who tells about the important question which the angels asked the women. That very important question, is also for us today:


The angel wanted to scold the women because of their unbelief. They came to the grave expecting to find a dead body to prepare for burial. Not believing what Jesus before had told them about His death and resurrection. So the angel said to them, "Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’"

They forgot Jesus' words and didn't believe! Shame on them. But shame on us, too! We like the women often do not believe His words. Sad, so that question is a scold and shame to us also! But it is also good news to us.

By asking that question the angels wanted to surprise the women and impress them with the good news. After they asked that question they added, "He is not here; He has risen!" The Introit asks the same question and then adds Alleluia!

One day a house was burning while mother was visiting a neighbor. Soon mother came running home to the burning house and wanted to get her five year old daughter out of it. But it was too late. The house was almost gone. But mother continued looking and looking at the burning house hoping to see her daughter alive. Then another neighbor lady from next door came and said to the mother very excited and happy, "Why are you looking for your daughter in the fire? She's not there. She's in my house alive and safe!"

So God says to us today, "Why do look in the grave for your dead loved ones? Why do you put flowers on their graves? Why do you spend so much money for the funeral and embalming and caskets? Your loved ones are not there in the grave! They are alive and happy with Jesus in heaven!"

Stop doubting! Believe His Words. Rejoiced and Hope!

Amen.