Monday, April 21’s devotional. Very early, before the first light of dawn had fully broken, the women walked toward the tomb. They were carrying spices, love’s last offering to a Lord they believed was dead. Mark Penrith points out, “The devotion that was faithful to the end is seen as the women come to honour their dead Lord.” Luke records it plainly: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared” (Luke 24:1, CSB). They moved forward in the cold fog of grief, not because they understood, but because they loved.
In the previous chapter, Luke had already told us that these women had witnessed both His death and His burial (Luke 23:49, 23:55). They knew where His body lay. They had prepared carefully, lovingly, for this moment. The spices were used to slow decomposition and mask the smell of decay, an act that confirms the women believed Jesus was dead. Faith clung to memory, not yet to the promise. Yet even without clarity, their steps were sure.
Sometimes we find ourselves walking a similar road—cold, dark, sad, disappointed. It is in these moments, that faithfulness to Christ doesn’t depend on our circumstances but His worthiness. The women did not feel triumphant. They felt the weight of death. And still they came.
Their devotion challenges us. Will we keep trusting God when hope seems lost? Will we move toward Him even when confusion clouds our hearts? Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (CSB). True faith walks forward, even when sight is denied.
Mark paints the scene vividly: “Cold, dark, sad, disappointed, grief, mourning.” Yet it was into this very devotion that resurrection life would soon break. Before the angels spoke, before the tomb was seen empty, before the stone was noticed rolled away, there was simple, steadfast love making its way through the darkness.
Lord Jesus, help us to walk faithfully even when we don’t understand. Teach us to cling to Your worthiness, not our wavering feelings. Give us the courage to move toward You with devotion, trusting that You will meet us on the way. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.