Why do we look for the living among the dead?

Over the past few post-Easter days, I've had one phrase from the Easter story roaming around in my head.  It's something that the angels say to the women who first arrive at the empty tomb:  "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"  The angels already know, without a doubt, that Jesus has risen from the dead ("Of course!  He's God in the flesh!  What don't these mortals understand??").  I wonder if they're completely perplexed why God has them at the tomb, waiting to talk to the women.  And I wonder if their question is really a question where they are trying to understand the weakness of humanity.  "WHY would anyone look for the living among the dead?  What don't these people understand?"

The next story (in the gospel of Luke) is the story of two people on the road to Emmaus.  Jesus meets them, walks along the way with them, enters their home to have supper with them... but they don't recognize Him (at least not until the last moment).  Once again, we see humans who are missing Jesus because they are "looking for him" among the dead, and don't expect Him to appear with them on the road.

I think the angel's question isn't just for the women at the tomb or those on the road to Emmaus 2,000 years ago.  It's a question for me - for us - today.  Why is it that we look for the living and for life among the dead?  Why do we look for Jesus in places that are dead -- dead churches, dead ideas, dead methods -- and miss Him as He meets us along the road of life?   Why do we look for LIFE in dead things -- material things, worldly success, possessions, toys, amusements -- instead of looking for true LIFE in Jesus?

Here's my question for you today:  Where are you looking in dead places for Jesus?  And where might He be meeting you today in places where you don't expect him?  Open your eyes and recognize Him as He meets you along the road today...