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The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but then the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.’   (Lk. 24:5)

It is Easter morning.  Some women have gone to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body.  As they approach it, they see that the stone has been rolled away.  They enter the tomb and see that Jesus’ body isn’t there. They go back outside where they encounter two men in dazzling clothes.  And then the angels say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

I have needed these same angels in my own life, asking me the same question: “Why have I spent so much time looking for the living among the dead?”

How so?  By holding onto relationships that had long since died. By continuing certain behaviors that caused misery.  By refusing to change certain attitudes that were costly.  By letting go of certain habits that were causing damage.

I suspect I’m not the only one who needs to hear the angels’ question.  Have you ever looked for a better life in all the wrong places?  Ever looked for love from people who only used you?  Ever desired better health and continued to neglect it? Ever held onto a job even though it was emptying your soul?  Ever wanted God to bless certain endeavors that were ungodly?

As the angels suggest, looking for the living among the dead is a waste of time.  Sometimes it’s also a waste of a life.

Do you want to find Jesus? Then I encourage you to stop looking for the living Jesus among the dead.  Instead, seek the living Jesus where He invites us to join Him.

Where might that be?  Wherever grace or mercy or kindness or forgiveness are needed.  Where hungry people can be fed. Where naked people can be clothed.  Where the despairing be given hope.  Where the sick can be healed.  Where the poor can receive a hand-up.  Where those who have suffered injustice can be given a fair shot at life.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are there any ways that you are currently looking for life among the dead? If so, what will it take for you to stop?

2. What would it mean for you to look for life in the land of the living? What habits, what attitudes, what relationships can you bring into your life so that you could live more fully?

3. Can you recall any angels—messengers—who have called you from dying to living, from darkness to light, from sickness to health? Are you right now called to be that kind of angel for someone else?

Please click this link to watch this Easter video –>  Easter with Lauren Daigle