“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Asked the men. “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” And they remembered his words.
LUKE 24:5-8 (CSB)

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Necessary things. 

The world is full of them. Some things we call necessary are not. Some necessary things we think or feel are too hard and we seek alternate pathways. 

The angels at Jesus’ tomb on that morning of all mornings told the women bearing spices that as necessary was their duty and attention to detail, there was something more necessary. A broken covenant, broken laws, and broken people could only be made new by one perfect sacrifice. It was necessary for Jesus to die.

As Jesus walked with the two men on the way to Emmaus, they discussed what they had seen, heard, and experienced. They attempted to reason out what had happened to Jesus and why he had to die. Jesus asked them a question: “Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Verse 26). 

Necessary things. 

Today, on this Easter Sunday, on this Resurrection Day, it is necessary for us to sing, to praise, to worship our risen Lord and King. 

In chapter 2 of this Gospel, we find Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. Among the amazing occurrences on that night of nights, shepherds burst into the birthplace and told what they had seen and heard. Luke recorded Mary’s memory: “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them,” (verse 19).

Years later, Jesus was lost for three days in Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary found him and questioned him, he replied, “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” (verse 49). Luke tells us, “His mother kept all these things in her heart,” (verse 51). 

Necessary things. 

What is necessary for us today? Let us rejoice because the stone was rolled away, they did not find the body of Jesus, instead, he found them and said, “Peace to you! Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.

“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things,” (verses 36-48).

Necessary things. 

What is necessary now? 

See Jesus for who he is. Come to him in repentance and faith. Know him in a daily, growing relationship. Prepare to live with him forever when the last necessary thing takes place. 

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I will give attention to necessary things.

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Our Father, you have taken care of all the necessary details for us to come into relationship with you. You have removed all the barriers. You take away all that holds us back. You made a way when there seemed to be no way. It is necessary for us to acknowledge and accept your gift of love and forgiveness. It is necessary for us to know and experience you. It is necessary for others to know that because Jesus lives, we too can live, really live. Amen.