Memory & The Mission
Forgetfulness isn’t just a glitch in our minds—it’s a crisis in our culture.
We forget names, passwords, birthdays, and even the things that gave us hope when life got hard. But what happens when we forget God’s promises?
Luke 24:8 sits like a spark in the silence of grief. The women at the tomb, broken and bewildered, hear the angels remind them of what Jesus said… and suddenly, memory becomes mission:
“And they remembered His words.”
Everything changed—not because their circumstances shifted instantly—but because their perspective did.
This isn’t just a verse tucked away in history. It’s a mirror for today.
First let’s do some investigation. Who wrote Luke?
Luke, a Gentile physician and meticulous historian, is the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. A companion of the Apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11), Luke wrote primarily for a Gentile audience, making his Gospel particularly attentive to outsiders, women, the poor, and the marginalized. In Chapter 24 we find that it’s the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion. Women who followed Jesus (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary mother of James, etc.) come to the tomb to anoint His body. They find the stone rolled away and the body missing. In a society still plagued with inequality, Luke’s inclusion of women as primary messengers speaks loudly. God often uses the undervalued to declare the most valuable truths.
Now let’s keep it 100, we live in a world obsessed with endings.
Scroll your feed: another celebrity breakup. Another tragedy. Another “cancelled” voice. Another mass shooting. Another reason to say, “What’s the point?”
It’s easy to think we’ve buried hope for good. But what if I told you that hope walked out of a grave?
That’s the message of Luke 24—a divine interruption in human despair. It’s not a fairy tale or religious feel-good story. It’s the turning point of time, where Jesus of Nazareth did what no other man, teacher, or prophet ever claimed—He defeated death.
And because resurrection is real, then your story doesn’t have to end at the tomb either.
The women came expecting a corpse and found a commission. Many approach life or even church with brokenness and disappointment. But resurrection power still speaks: He is not here... He is Risen.
Think about this, in the 21st century, many are overstimulated and undernourished. Our screens are full, but our souls are starving. It becomes more and more apparrent that we live in a world that is, informed but not transformed, busy but not built, and connected but disconnected from truth! Like the women at the tomb, we can be close to the place of power—but still paralyzed by pain—until we remember His words.
The Empty Tomb and a Full Reminder
Luke 24 opens with heartbreak. Jesus, the hope of Israel, had been crucified. The sky turned black. The temple veil tore. His followers scattered. And now, after the Sabbath, the women come with spices for His body. But the tomb is open. The body is gone! Suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes appear and ask a piercing question:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)
That question still echoes. It’s rhetorical—but it hits like a hammer. In other words:
Why are you looking for purpose in a broken relationship?
Why are you searching for healing in your hustle?
Why do you expect fulfillment in what’s failing you?
But Jesus is not there.
These questions slice through centuries and cultural fads. The truth is that seeking the living among the dead—is dead looking for identity, affirmation, and peace in empty places, is no longer a solution.
Could it be that purpose isn’t found in the person who left, but in the One who never will?
What if true healing isn’t hidden in the hustle, but offered freely in His hands?
Is it possible that lasting fulfillment doesn’t live in what’s failing, but in the One who never fails?
He’s risen, and He’s calling us out of graves we dug and others dug for us.
Then comes the reminder:
“Remember how He spoke to you…” (Luke 24:6)
And then comes the turning point:
“And they remembered His words.” (Luke 24:8)
Memory opened their eyes. Faith flooded in. They had the facts, but now they had faith.
From Grief to Go: When Memory Fuels Movement
The moment they remembered, the women didn’t stay by the tomb.
They ran. Ran to tell the apostles. Ran to spread the good news. Ran with hope still fresh on their tongues.
This is the power of remembering what Jesus said. It moves you. It transforms you. It gives you permission to live with courage. Today, many of us find ourselves at what feel like life’s tombs—not of death, but of transformation. A relationship may have ended, a dream may feel out of reach, a mistake may weigh heavy, or faith may be going through a season of questioning. But these aren’t dead ends—they’re holy ground for resurrection. Just like in Luke 24, Jesus is not in the tomb—He is alive! And His Word still speaks. What if we’re not waiting on something new from God, but simply being invited to remember the life-giving truth He’s already given us? In Him, every ending can become a new beginning.
What We’ve Forgotten… and Need to Remember
In a culture that urges us to speak your truth, Jesus lovingly invites us to stand firm in His truth—a truth that brings peace, purpose, and power. Sometimes, the most life-changing thing we can do is simply remember what He’s already said.
Here are just a few of His promises, waiting to be reclaimed:
Come to Me, all you who are weary – Matthew 11:28
I will never leave you nor forsake you – Hebrews 13:5
I am the resurrection and the life – John 11:25
Peace I leave with you – John 14:27
You did not choose Me, but I chose you – John 15:16
When you remember His words, peace begins to quiet anxiety. Hope starts to rise above despair. And the path to your God-given purpose becomes clear again. His truth doesn’t just comfort—it transforms.
In a world constantly chasing the next big thing, we often overlook the quiet power of what we already know. Culture urges us to search for fresh revelations and flashy moments, but what if the true breakthrough is found in remembering what’s always been true? When we pause and recall the basics—His love for us, His victory over death, and His unshakable reign—we’re reminded that we already have access to the hope we’re looking for. In remembering, we find our identity again. In remembering, we walk in resurrection power. In remembering, our lives become a bold testimony of grace.
God’s Word is not a relic of the past—it is alive and active, just as Hebrews 4:12 declares. Every time we read it, speak it, or pray it, something stirs within us. His promises are not outdated; they are right on time. They don’t lose their power—they ignite fresh hope. Whether you’re navigating a storm or walking into a new season, the Word of God speaks life. It reminds us who God is, what He’s done, and what He still wants to do in and through us. When we stay rooted in His truth, we walk with confidence, clarity, and peace.
Maybe you’ve felt distant from God. Maybe you’ve forgotten how to believe or lost sight of the joy you once had. The good news is, it’s not too late. Luke 24:8 offers us a powerful moment: And they remembered His words. That simple act of remembering changed everything for the women at the tomb—and it can change everything for you too. Jesus still speaks. His love still reaches. And He is calling you back to Himself, not with shame, but with open arms and fresh grace.
If you’re ready to take that step, here’s a prayer to help you begin:
Jesus, I remember now. I believe You lived, died, and rose again for me. Thank You for loving me. Please forgive me, fill me with Your truth, and walk with me from this day forward. I want to live in Your hope and follow You with all my heart. Amen.
