Luke 24:1-12
24: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Reflection
The events that had unfolded in the previous days were no surprise to Christ, because they were happening according to God’s powerful and wise plan (cf. Luke 24:25–26). That plan, however, never intended to leave Jesus in the grave —something he had explained to his disciples more than once (9:22; 18:32–33). When these women arrived at the empty tomb on Sunday morning, they were reminded that Jesus had predicted his resurrection (24:4–8) and they returned to report their astonishing discovery to the apostles (vv. 10–11). What seemed unbelievable at first (v. 11) would soon be undeniable, as Jesus himself would make quite clear.
1 Timothy 6:17-21
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.Grace be with you.
Reflection
Paul knows that it is easy for people who have money to trust in their money for security. However, even though riches appear to guarantee safety and pleasure, Paul tells Timothy to warn people not to “set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God” (1 Tim. 6:17). Only God can be trusted to provide what is eternally secure and satisfying.
This does not mean that money is evil, in itself. God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (v. 17). Those who have abundance, however, must be careful not to cling to their riches with greedy hands. Just as Jesus did not hold tightly to his abundant privileges, but gave himself on behalf of others, so we should be eager “to be generous and ready to share” (v. 18). In the end, this is the best investment we can make. When we give to others with Christtrusting hearts of generosity, we are actually “storing up treasure . . . for the future” (v. 19).
Psalm 49:15
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
Ask God to help you come to terms with the seriousness of Christ’s resurrection. The better we understand the significance of this historical fact, the more we will live with fearless abandon for the cause of Christ and his kingdom.