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Talk about a Transformation!

Luke 24:1-12  (GNB) Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared.  (2)  They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb,  (3)  so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  (4)  They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them.  (5)  Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?  (6)  He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee:  (7)  ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’ ”  (8)  Then the women remembered his words,  (9)  returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest.  (10)  The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles.  (11)  But the apostles thought that what the women said was nonsense, and they did not believe them.  (12)  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave cloths but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.

– Try to imagine how these women felt as they went to prepare the body of the beloved leader so as to respect His remains…

— Does the idea of sorrowing, hurting, defeated, and broken come to mind?

— Is that not a good description of you and I when we were once defeated souls in need of comfort?

– Then they found the stone rolled away and the Savior risen.

— Yes, they didn’t yet know what happened to Jesus’ body, however, God in His goodness sent an angel to tell them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (I can’t help but flash back to the words the angels spoke to Mary at Jesus’ birth).

— When in the depth of sorrow and repentance we also hear from the Holy Spirit that Jesus came to save and forgive us, do we not also find a transformation from sorrowing to great joy?

Again, in staying connected to the moment, these women were surprised, confused, and now encouraged as they were reminded of the words of Jesus. As such their hearts were open to accept that Jesus was not dead, and so they went quickly to tell the other disciples.

— This again reminds me of the transformation we receive as we accept the good news that we are set free from the curse of death by the grace and goodness of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

And the other disciples didn’t believe them…

— Sadly, that is also a common reaction of others when we tell them we have changed (from death to life).

— But if you have received this transformation, don’t let that discourage you either.

Have you received this good news?

— Are you hurting and sorrowing over how life has turned into such a disastrous time?

— There is forgiveness.

— There is a sure opportunity for you to start again.

— Jesus was born as God in man, to pay the penalty of your sin, and mine, if we repent of that failing. This applies to any sin, by His death we will also be raised from physical death to live with Him forever in a New Heaven and a New Earth.

All you need to do is say you are TRULY sorry for your mistakes (your sins, however large they may be) and that you are DETERMINED to try to change. God is incredibly gracious to forgive us our sins, and He will walk with us as we stumble our way back to Him, as long as we keep our hearts set on following His Word, and growing in the knowledge of His goodness and forgiveness.

Let’s pray… Lord God, I have sinned and my heart has turned away from good to evil, I am truly sorry for the hurt and disaster that I have caused to those around me. Please forgive me and help me to overcome my failures. I choose to live for you and follow you. I turn away from seeking my own desires and pleasure, help me to know your way, help me to follow in your footsteps. Lord, please bring me into contact with your people so that I may grow in knowledge of the truth that only resides in you. In Jesus name, I pray, AMEN.

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