“Remember How He Told You” – St. Luke 24:6

by Nolan Astley

Rev. Nolan Astley.

St. Luke tells us the women went to Jesus’ tomb at “deep dawn.” That’s not exactly what most translations say, but the Greek word usually translated as “early” can also be translated as “deep.” Deep dawn, as in “it is always darkest just before the dawn.” At deep dawn the light and the dark are very close together. As the final deep darkness of night arrives, it seems as if things could go either way. In the deep dawn there will be either light or there will be dark.

As the final deep darkness of night arrives, it seems as if things could go either way. In the deep dawn there will be either light or there will be dark.

For the women deep dawn wasn’t just a time of day, it was also a state of mind. Jesus had died. They saw that with their own eyes on Friday afternoon. And now on Sunday morning, they went to finish anointing the body. However, when they got there, the stone was rolled away. What did this mean? Had yet another indecency been committed against their Lord and teacher, or did He have another surprise in store for them. Darkness and light stood very close together as they approached the tomb. Had evil won again? Would the light appear? Which would prevail?

As they stood there perplexed about this, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” they asked. “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Now the light and the dark were very close together. Deep dawn was upon them—the darkness of denial or the light of life stood side by side.

But then they remembered His words, and in that remembering at deep dawn Easter happened. They remembered His word—His living active word, His word that pierces joint and marrow, His word that never failed to accomplish its purpose, His forgiving word, His healing word, His word that called the dead from their slumber. And remembering His word they told these things to the eleven and all the rest. Before they saw Jesus, they remembered and believed.  Before they saw Jesus, they knew He was alive.

In the deep dawn life and light prevailed. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

In the deep dawn life and light prevailed. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Times of deep dawn still exist in our world. The doctor’s office calls and they need to see you right away. You answer the door and it’s a police officer. The boss calls you in and you know it’s not good news.

No matter what those other voices have to tell you in the deep dawn, no matter what darkness (or perhaps light) they reveal, hear also the words of the angel:  “Remember how He told you:

• “Come to me all you weary and burdened and I will give you rest”
• “I am the light of the world”
• “I am the Good Shepherd”
• “I am the resurrection and the life”

“Remember how He told you.” In that remembering His eternally living word gives you new life. He is risen, risen indeed, to come to us in the deep dawn of our life so that like the women who had not yet seen we might believe. In the deep dawn life and light prevailed. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Remember how He told you. Amen.

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Rev. Nolan Astley is Lutheran Church–Canada’s Interim Pastoral Leader for Alberta and British Columbia.

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