Looking for Life in Dead Places

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 2

The angels' question to the women was both gentle and profound: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" These women had come seeking Jesus in a tomb, but he wasn't there. They were looking for life in a place of death, hope in a place of endings.

How often do we make the same mistake? We search for fulfillment in our careers, thinking the next promotion will finally satisfy us. We chase financial security, believing enough money will bring peace. We seek our identity in others' approval, hoping their validation will make us feel worthy. We try to find control over our circumstances, thinking if we can just manage everything perfectly, we'll have the peace we crave. But these are all tombs - dead places that cannot give us the life we're truly seeking. They might provide temporary satisfaction, but they ultimately leave us empty, still searching, still restless.

The resurrection reminds us that Jesus is alive, and true life is found only in him. When we stop looking for life among dead things and turn our eyes to the living Christ, everything changes. Today, consider where you might be seeking life in places that cannot truly satisfy. The empty tomb declares that Jesus is alive and ready to meet your deepest needs.

Bible Verse

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. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

What "dead things" have you been looking to for life, hope, or security instead of turning to the living Christ?

Quote

So often we look for hope in our achievements, or we look for security in our finances. We look for our identity in the approval of others, for peace, in our control. But for all those places, ultimately for us, they end up being tombs.

Prayer

Jesus, help me stop seeking life in things that cannot truly satisfy. Turn my heart toward you, the source of all life and hope.