On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 24:1 – 3

We do not use spices to embalm bodies these days.  In those days people expressed their love for the one who died by anointing the body upon death, with oils, etc., that were expensive and reserved for this purpose.  Somehow these women of Galilee had or got these burial ointments.  In any case, that is the reason they went early to the tomb.  This is perplexing because we read that before the Sabbath, they tarried at the tomb until the stone was placed at the entrance.  Then they went home sorrowfully.  They determined to go out to that tomb the day after the Sabbath to do what?  Faith is not always a reasonable thing.  They knew the tomb was sealed, they saw that happen.  They had absolutely no access to the tomb.  What faith!  We have no idea what they were thinking but certainly not what is there before them, an empty tomb, open.

As they entered the tomb, they were carrying those ointments.  The grave is empty!  That is the last we read of the ointments!  What was important to them was eclipsed by what they saw, Jesus’ body is not there!

Following Jesus is a life of surprises.  I am almost 90 years old, thinking about the ways of God.  Life has been a series of surprises to me.  In no way could I even begin to name them.  This is true for Anna Ruth and me and for every person who steps out and follows Jesus in life.  We work hard to do what we think we should do, only to find out that God had something far greater in mind!  We prepare, and that is good, but reality takes over!  Our little offering, some spices, bears no resemblance to the gifting that we receive.  I assume you, gentle reader, feel the same – now and always.

Behold, he is risen!