The Counseling Corner
By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min. M.Th
“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 into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” – Luke 24:6-7
This Week’s Meditation:
Jesus Is Risen!
Luke 24:1-12
Jesus died in Jerusalem when the procurator of Judea was Pontius Pilate; at the same time Caiaphas was the high priest (see John 11:49; 18:13) and Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (Luke 23:7ff). A “tetrarch” in Greco-Roman antiquity, is the ruler of a principality; originally the ruler of one-quarter of a region or province. After the death of Herod, the Great, his realm was shared among his three sons: the chief part, including Judaea, Samaria, fell to Archelaus; Philip received the northeast of the realm and was called tetrarch; and Galilee was given to Herod Antipas, who also was called tetrarch. (Source: Britannica Encyclopedia)
All four gospels attest to the importance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and all four gospels record the resurrection and the women at the tomb. (See Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-13.)
On the third day after Jesus’ death, the women came to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body. The women were stunned to see the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away. Upon entering, they realized that Jesus’ body was not there. While wondering the meaning of these things, there was an angelic visitation in the form of two men who appeared. Angelic visitations in Scripture alert the reader to a profound event taking place in Scripture. Frightened, the women bowed down to the ground but the angelic men asked them why they were looking for the living among the dead. In Scripture, people often reacted with fear to the unknown or unfamiliar. The angelic beings confirmed the story that Jesus had risen: “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee…” (Luke 24:6.)
When the women returned from the tomb they reported Jesus’ resurrection to the disciples (minus Judas who had hung himself, see Matthew 27:3-5), of what had happened. After hearing the extraordinary events that took place at the tomb, the disciples did not believe the women and thought the women’s story was something they perhaps made up. Peter, one of the earliest and most prominent disciples of Jesus, ran to the tomb of Jesus and saw the grave clothes that once encircled the body of Jesus lying there. Peter left the tomb perhaps thinking within himself ‘what just happened?’ The crucifixion of Christ demonstrated God’s love and holiness. The resurrection of Jesus Christ – or the miracle that occurred at Easter, is at the heart of the Christian message and faith.
This Week’s Reflection: As you and your prayer partner reflect on the greatness of God’s love for you, take turns praising God for the amazing grace of God of offering His Son as our sacrifice and the miracle of His resurrection! Then, pray for opportunities to share the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection with someone.
Next Week: Our Living Hope Through the Resurrection of Jesus!
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