22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
Astonished and bewildered by the women’s account regarding their experience earlier that morning, these two disciples seem to speak of the report they gave very disparagingly - attributing it to fantasy rather than fact and remained unconvinced - slow to believe – that Jesus was alive. Their story seemed to them as nonsense. The ladies stated that the tomb was empty. Not only that, they claimed that they had both distinctly and unmistakably perceived with their eyes - angels - whose clothes gleamed like lightening - and heard with their ears the message from the angels mouths that Jesus was indeed alive. Earlier in this same chapter Luke tells us:
5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:5-8 (NIV)
In fact, we are told that Peter and John raced to the tomb upon hearing the women’s words yet remained baffled because “him they did not see”. Surely if Jesus had risen He would have shown Himself to these disciples therefore their hopes and dreams remained nailed to the cross and buried in His grave. As Reba sings, “the heart is a lonely hunter when there is no sign of love in sight”- more appropriately written – sign of Love in sight!
Over and over again in Scripture we are admonished to remember. Just as the angels told these women – “Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee” – we are to remember His words. It certainly would make our lives much easier if we would but remember. One of the most important texts in the Old Testament for the Jews is found in Deuteronomy which they refer to as the “Shema” meaning to heed, listen and obey. The precept presented in this passage speaks to the importance of remembering – not only for ourselves but for subsequent generations:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut 6:4-9 (NIV)
One may ask why? What’s the point? God goes on to say:
10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deut 6:10-12 (NIV)
Basically, flawed flesh forgets – particularly in crisis. It is so easy for us not to remember how He provided before. It is so easy for us not to remember how He walked with us through our valleys. It is so easy for us not to remember how He answered our prayers. It is so easy for us not to remember His promises. It is just so easy to forget. We delve into self absorption and pity parties – depressed and disillusioned. During these seasons of despair we often feel abandoned and deserted – failing in our faith. It would do us well to dwell on the “weeping” Prophet Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations:
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lam 3:19-24 (NIV)
“We may often forget to meditate upon the perfections of our Lord, but He never ceases to remember us. Let us chide ourselves for past forgetfulness, and pray for grace ever to bear Him in fondest remembrance. Lord, paint upon the eyeballs of my soul the image of thy Son.” C.H. Spurgeon
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalms 103:1-5 (NIV)