Looking in the Wrong Place: Seeking Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection: Jesus is Not Dead, He is Alive

The tomb was found empty on that first Easter morning because Jesus had conquered death. His resurrection was not a mere historical event but a present, ongoing reality. This truth is the very foundation of our faith, offering hope that transcends our earthly circumstances. Because He lives, we too can have life, both now and for eternity. This reality changes everything for those who believe. [56:35]

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:1, 3, 4a, 5-6 ESV)

Reflection: When you consider the challenges or worries you are currently facing, how does the truth that Jesus is alive—right now—shift your perspective and offer you genuine hope?

Day 2: The Futility of Seeking Life in Dead Places

We often exhaust ourselves searching for purpose, security, and fulfillment in things that are temporary and ultimately lead to death. Like the man looking for his lost wallet under a streetlamp simply because the light was familiar, we can become content seeking life in places where it cannot be found. This pursuit only leaves us feeling perplexed, afraid, and empty. True and lasting life is found only in the person of Jesus Christ. [52:23]

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

Reflection: What is one "dead place"—a relationship, a pursuit, or a possession—where you have been tempted to search for your ultimate identity or security, instead of finding it in Christ?

Day 3: Remembering the Words of Jesus

The women at the tomb were reminded of what Jesus had told them about His death and resurrection. Their initial confusion turned to clarity when they recalled His words. We, too, have the words of Christ, which are truth and life. Remembering His promises is the key to moving from fear and perplexity to faith and understanding. His words are a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. [01:12:12]

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:11, 105 ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific promise or teaching from Jesus that you need to recall and hold onto today to bring light to a situation that feels confusing or dark?

Day 4: The Call to Recount the Life-Giving Message

Upon remembering the truth, the women immediately returned to tell the others the good news. They were not meant to keep this life-giving message to themselves. Our faith is not a private matter but a story to be shared. We are called to be witnesses, recounting to others the hope we have found in the resurrected Christ, regardless of how it is initially received. [01:13:27]

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15 ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that God might be gently prompting you to lovingly share the hope of the resurrection with this week?

Day 5: Looking for Life Solely in the Risen Christ

The central question of Easter challenges our daily pursuits: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The only appropriate response is to stop seeking life in things that perish and to fix our eyes solely on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He alone is the source of abundant and eternal life. Every day is an opportunity to turn from dead things and look to the One who is alive. [01:11:23]

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to more consistently look to Jesus, rather than to the "dead" things of this world, for your daily hope and purpose?

Sermon Summary

The account opens with women who loved Jesus rising early to finish what burial customs had kept them from completing. They find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, and two angels confront their confusion with a piercing question: why seek the living among the dead? The narrative contrasts natural human habits—seeking comfort, familiarity, or visible proof—with the shocking reality that life comes only through the risen Christ. An illustration about a man searching for a lost wallet under a streetlight highlights how people often hunt for meaning where no life exists simply because the spot offers light and ease.

Luke’s story unfolds as both tragedy and triumph: the women arrive with spices, they encounter fear and perplexity, and then receive an announcement that overturns every expectation—Jesus is risen. The resurrection appears not as a mere past event but as a present, ongoing reality that changes how believers live now. The text insists that hope rooted in anything finite—status, relationships, work, or comfort—leads to perplexity and fear because those things ultimately point toward death.

The passage calls for two responses. First, stop looking for life in sources that only produce death; look solely to the risen One who alone gives eternal life. Second, remember what Jesus promised and recount that life-giving news to others: the women remembered his words and ran to tell the apostles. The empty tomb produces a ministry of memory and proclamation, not private despair. The narrative ends by inviting individuals to receive this living hope, pressing that salvation changes both where people look and how they live. A priestly blessing closes the gathering, sending people out with grace and peace to live in and share the reality of the risen Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Stop seeking life among death Seeking meaning in achievements, relationships, or comforts offers temporary light but cannot produce eternal life. Where people invest ultimate trust, they will face perplexity and fear when those sources fail. The only reliable foundation for life now and forever comes from the risen Christ, who replaces dead pursuits with living hope. Choose to reorient desire and dependence toward him. [48:33]
2. Resurrection is present reality The declaration “He is risen” speaks not only of a past event but of an ongoing, living reality that transforms the present. This reality means that death does not have the final word over believers’ identity, purpose, or destiny. Worship and daily choices should flow from living under the risen Lord’s rule, not from fear of loss or failure. Let present hope govern present living. [67:47]
3. Love compels costly devotion The women prepared spices and rose at dawn because love drove them to act beyond comfort or logic. Genuine love for Christ produces labors that make no earthly sense yet honor the living King. Such costly devotion reveals where true treasure lies and reorders priorities away from temporary satisfactions. Allow love for Jesus to determine daily investments of time and care. [58:25]
4. Remember and recount his words Memory anchors faith: the women remembered Jesus’ predictions and then told the others what they had seen. Remembering Jesus’ words guards against drifting into dead hopes; recounting those truths extends life to others. Evangelism begins with recovered memory and moves outward in simple testimony. Make remembering and telling the central rhythm of spiritual life. [72:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:37] - Easter Proclamation
[45:37] - Gospel Overview: Creation and Fall
[46:30] - Jesus' Sinless Life and Sacrifice
[47:04] - Why Resurrection Matters
[48:04] - Luke 24:1-3 Overview
[48:33] - Why Seek Living Among Dead?
[49:10] - The Wallet Story: Wrong Place
[52:55] - Main Point: Look in the Right Place
[54:39] - Reading Luke 24:4-7
[67:47] - Resurrection as Present Reality
[72:12] - Remember and Recount
[76:23] - Invitation and Prayer
[77:12] - Blessing and Close

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Luke 24:1-9 (ESV)
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Observation questions

What were the women carrying with them when they went to the tomb and what does this tell us about their expectations?
What two specific emotions did the women experience when they found the empty tomb and encountered the angels? [01:05:06]
What was the first question the angels asked the women and what was the first statement they made about Jesus?
What two specific actions did the women take after they heard the angels' message and remembered Jesus' words?

Interpretation questions

The angels asked, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" What does this question reveal about the nature of the things people often pursue for meaning and purpose? [01:02:31]
The illustration of the man searching for his wallet under a streetlight shows how people often look for life in familiar but dead places. [52:23] Why do people continue to search for meaning in places that cannot provide it?
The resurrection is described as an ongoing reality, not just a past event. [01:07:47] How does this present reality of Christ's resurrection change how believers should view their daily lives and struggles?
The women's actions were described as a "labor of love" that didn't make logical sense. [01:00:44] What does this tell us about how genuine love for Christ should affect our priorities and actions?

Application questions

The story of the man searching for his wallet under the streetlight illustrates looking for life in the wrong places. [52:23] What are some "streetlights" in your own life—familiar, comfortable places where you've been looking for meaning that can't actually provide life?
Putting ultimate hope in anything finite—like career success, relationships, or personal comfort—leads to fear and disappointment when those things fail. [01:05:59] Which of these finite things have you been tempted to look to for ultimate security, and what would it look like to shift that dependence to Christ this week?
Love for Christ compels actions that might seem illogical to others. [01:00:44] What's one "costly" act of devotion you could practice this week that would demonstrate your love for Jesus, even if it doesn't make practical sense to others?
Remembering Jesus' words guards against drifting into dead hopes. [01:12:12] Which specific promise or teaching of Jesus do you most need to remember right now to keep your hope alive?
The women immediately went to tell others what they had seen and heard. [01:12:52] Who is one person in your life that needs to hear the life-giving message that Christ is risen, and how could you share this with them in the coming days?
The resurrection means death doesn't have the final word over our identity or purpose. [01:07:47] What area of your life feels most dominated by fear of failure or loss, and how could living in the reality of Christ's resurrection change your perspective?
Looking for life in dead places leaves people perplexed and afraid. [01:05:06] When have you experienced this perplexity and fear in your own life, and what practical step will you take this week to look instead to the risen Christ?

Sermon Clips

God used him in a mighty way, but where is Abraham? You can answer for me. Where is he? Alive or dead? Dead. He's dead. What about king David? Amazing leader. Where is he? He's dead. What about Paul and Peter and all of the apostles? They're all dead, but Jesus Christ, the only one who brings eternal life is not dead, but he is alive. [01:08:35] (24 seconds) #JesusIsAlive

We live and die. Christ died and is still alive, but there's a purpose, so that we live with him forever and bring as many others along with us. This is why we remember his words and then recount that life giving message to others in the hope that others may receive Christ as well. You see, it didn't go so well for the ladies. It says in verse 11 that their words seemed like an idle tale. The disciples didn't believe them. Let me just say to you, for those of you that are actively sharing the gospel and receiving rejections, it's not your responsibility to manage the results. [01:14:55] (37 seconds) #ShareWithoutWorry

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does seeking life among the dead mean?

How should resurrection shape our earthly pursuits?

Why remember and recount Jesus' life-giving message?