Matthew 28:1-10
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” (NLT)
Devotional: Don’t be afraid!
Most Christians know this passage well – or we think we do. We celebrate the outcome – Jesus is risen!
But consider the emotions involved in this encounter with an angel, and then with the risen Jesus. The women who went to the tomb knew what they’d find – a heavy stone across the tomb entrance, and if they did get past that, the decaying body of their friend and teacher. But what they experienced was so different – an earthquake, and angel, a stone rolled back, the body gone.
What was the reaction of those who saw this? Not joy, but FEAR! The guards “shook with fear” and “fell into a dead faint.” Presumably the women had much the same reaction, because the angel’s first words to them are “Don’t be afraid.” And even when the women left the tomb they were still “very frightened” yet ”filled with great joy.” And when Jesus met them on the way he reiterated the angel’s message “Don’t be afraid!”
What are we afraid of today? Are we afraid to let people know who we really are? Are we afraid to tell others that we believe in the risen Lord? This week, this month, this year, let’s take hold of the message of the angel and of Jesus: “Don’t be afraid!” Let’s go with joy to show others Jesus’ love and compassion. Let’s live our lives not in fear but trusting in the God who gives peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer
Our God, thank you that your son Jesus died and rose for us that we might know love, not hate; hope, not despair; peace, not fear. Give us the courage to face life today, and to share your love wherever you have placed us. Amen.
Pam Reed, Registrar