What Jesus Did! 'Nonsense?' — Luke 24:9-12

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

So [the women] rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples — and everyone else — what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
— Luke 24:9-12 NLT

Key Thought

Luke reminds us of the presence of "the women" who were more faithful than any of Jesus' male disciples, standing by the Lord in his journey to the cross and to his tomb and through to his resurrection. When they told the disciples what had happened, their testimony was dismissed as mere nonsense by the male disciples. Yet all of us, male and female, must realize that the earliest witnesses of the resurrected Jesus were the women who stood by him through his ministry and through his death, all the way to his resurrection. Those trailblazing heroes of our faith in the resurrected Savior include "Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women." I don't know about you, but there are also numerous women who have pioneered the way for my faith to find the resurrected Jesus.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you so much for the influence of faithful women who have blazed the trail that has led me to believe in your risen Son. Bless them in ways that help them know the eternal difference they have made in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Resurrection 2.0: The Empty Tomb
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I Doubt It: Jesus Is Risen from the Dead
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Jesus is risen, and we believe because the first disciples had their doubts! Phil Ware continues his series called 'I Doubt It' and focuses this week on Jesus having risen from death to never die again.
Resurrection 2.2: Sometimes, I Doubt!
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Important Women, Important Roles
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If we listen carefully to God’s unfolding story, there are many strong women of faith who played key roles in the life of God's people! Phil Ware continues his series on the role of women and their importance in the story of God's unfolding grace.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 24:9-12 NLT — Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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