October 17, 2016
WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
Luke 24:1–12
Paul Gittemeier
Central Truth
He's not here, He has risen—these six words affect every person who has ever lived.
Key Verse | Luke 24:6
"He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:6a)
Luke 24:1–12
The Resurrection
1 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.
Dive Deeper | Luke 24:1–12
Several years ago, the online magazine SMITH launched the "Six-Word Memoirs" project, asking people to tell their story in six words. Over one million entries have been submitted; and the project has spawned countless classroom projects, corporate challenges, blogs, speeches, and contests. The memoirs span the emotional range from funny to poignant to tragic. Many have been published in best-selling books with such titles as Not Quite What I Was Planning and It All Changed In An Instant.
Today's passage (also published in a best seller) contains perhaps the most powerful six-word memoir in history: He's not here, He has risen! Starting with the women who discovered the empty tomb and the apostles whom they ran to tell, this angel-spoken memoir has been repeated countless times, and it affects every person who has ever lived. It requires a six-word decision: You follow Jesus, or you don't.
There was another powerful statement from those angels in verse five where they essentially ask: "Why do you look for life among the dead?" In previous readings of this passage, I never noticed this question. But this reading caused me to ask the self-reflective question: "In what dead things do I seek life?" My answers included work, finances, achievements, children's accomplishments, possessions, the approval of others, my appearance, my brand, and more.
Guess what? Life's not there, because He's risen! But still I chase.
More richness of the Resurrection can be found in other God-inspired six-word memoirs, I leave you here to reflect on these:
For everything there is a season.
God is my refuge and strength.
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
Fear not. I am with you.
Do not be anxious about anything.
Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.
Put away from you crooked speech.
Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Love is patient. Love is kind.
Taste and see the Lord's goodness.
No one can serve two masters.
Bless the Lord, O, my soul.
Commit your way to the Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love.
His mercies are new every morning.
Discussion Questions
1. Do God's six-word memoirs influence your story?
2. What actual difference does the resurrection of Jesus make in your life?
3. In what dead things do you seek life?
4. Want a six-word conversation starter that works for anyone? “How can I pray for you?”
5. What is your six-word story? Share it in the "comments" section.