"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Luke 24:5
These words were spoken by two angels to the women who had gone to the tomb on Easter morning and found it empty. They were telling the women that they need not seek Jesus any further among the dead of this world, because he had risen. Indeed, he is still risen.
However there is more in this statement than the mere physical state and locality of Christ. It is a strong message to every believer.
Why do we seek the living among the dead? Why do we seek Christ among the dead things of this world? Why do we try to synchronize Christ and the dead things of this world. Why do we try to make Christ worldly? Furthermore, why do we try to find life in the world when it can only be found in Christ.
In him was life, and the life was the light of man. John 1:4
Life eternal can only be found in Christ, and faith in Christ is the only way into that life. Therefore, we must seek the living within the living one, life itself, Jesus Christ.
"For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself." John 5:26
Christ also told us that the only way to the Father is through the Son. The Father has life in himself, but he is unobtainable, except through Christ. Thankfully, the Father has granted the Son the same life. Therefore, we must seek the living within the living one, Jesus Christ.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." John 11:25-26
Christ is the only path from the world of the dead into the world of the living. Not only is he the source of life, but he is the way to the light as well. Faith, once again, is the salve that keeps us from death. Faith in Christ resurrects us. Faith in Christ bestows eternal life. Therefore, we must seek the living within the living one.
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31
The scriptures build our faith in Christ. The more we learn about who Christ is, from the Bible alone, the stronger our faith becomes. The Jesus of the Bible is the Son of God, and faith in that Jesus will give you eternal life. Therefore, we must seek the living within Christ alone.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Christ not only makes us spiritually alive, but he physically resurrects us from the dead. We receive physical bodies. We live for eternity, physically, with Christ. He is our life and our light, which we will see clearly and learn by. All are dead in their trespasses, but Christ makes those who believe in him alive again, both spiritually and physically.
Finally, there is another phrase that the two angels (are they the same angels?) tell the disciples. As the disciples look up into the sky after Jesus' ascension, the angels tell them, "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" Acts 1:11
Now that we have life in Christ, let us prepare for his return. Although we are not of the world, we are still in the world. So, go among the dead of this world and share the gospel of life with everyone. Let them know that only in Christ can we find the living. Many will reject this message, but a few will respond with joy. This is what it means to seek the living among the dead and actually find them.
