Why Do You (I?) Look for the Living Among the Dead? Luke 24:5

Easter was different this year—I was hit hard with the flu. Easter Sunday passed in a blur, no church, no family gathering, no Easter eggs. But God still found a way to speak to me, just a little later than usual. 

By Monday, still feeling awful, I managed to read Luke’s resurrection account. One verse stood out: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). It struck me—how often do I dwell on past hurts, regrets, fears—dark places with no signs of life? Why am I searching among the dead? 

An important awaking but how do I let go or move on, when I am still feeling those emotions? The answer came in the next part of Luke 24. Two disciples, consumed by grief, were leaving Jerusalem when Jesus joined them. He listened, walked with them, and used Scripture to bring clarity. As he spoke, their hearts began to burn with hope. Later, when they recognized him, their grief and fear turned to joy, and they ran back to share the good news. You can hear the excitement of the disciples when they said: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (v32) 

That’s the power of the resurrection: Jesus brings new life, even into the places we find ourselves stuck. He meets us in our pain, anger, fear and confusion, listens to our story, and gently invites us to see things differently—with hope, with love, with joy.  

This Easter reminded me to stop revisiting the past, get out of my ‘tomb’ and start living fully in the new life Christ offers. I am also reminded that this doesn’t happen ‘magically’ or through my own efforts. I need to daily stop and listen, to ‘invite Jesus in’ like the disciples did, allow God’s word to speak to my heart, and then take action, bringing life, love and hope to my friends, family, colleagues and the wider community.