Easter is done. However, I’m not done with Easter. I want to sit a little longer in the awesomeness of it all. I want to take in what it must have felt like to have been there. The agony of Jesus' death. The inexplicable joy of the resurrection. The hidden fears of “What if?” and “What now?” as they contemplated life without Jesus.
But, wait, there’s more to the story! Picture two women who loved Jesus very much showing up at the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. They had to go! They loved Jesus so much! As they arrived at the tomb, this happened: “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” (Matthew 28:2-4)
The story of Easter doesn’t end with Christ coming out of the tomb. Here are two persistent, compassionate, grieving women that wanted to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. They were even more anxious and confused when they couldn’t find his body there.
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7)
The angel knew exactly what the women were feeling at that moment. Sorry. Grief. Confusion. Uncertainty. Where is Jesus? We just want to see our Jesus!
The angel calmed their fears. Oh, don’t you and I need that? Those fears of the unknown that grip us at the most inopportune of times. The angel knew they were looking for Jesus and told them “He has risen, just as he said.” The angels literally invited the women to see for themselves that Jesus had risen from the dead. Finally, the angel told them to go quickly and tell his disciples.
Don’t miss their trip to spread the news. On the way from the tomb, afraid, yet filled with joy, Jesus steps out of nowhere on the path! “Greetings.” he said. “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10) Jesus was alive and present with them! Why should they fall prey to fear?
We can get so caught up in our fears that we miss what’s right in front of us. An empty tomb. A resurrected Savior. A place of grace for all to see, where the lost can experience redemption. Mary Magdalene and Mary with great joy gave witness to the risen Christ. They didn’t let their fears get in the way of spreading the greatest story ever told.
Jesus’ command to the women becomes a command to each of us today: Stop being afraid. God has defeated death. We are loved, redeemed and wanted by God Himself. We have nothing to fear.
The story of Easter doesn’t end with Christ coming out of the tomb. Here are two persistent, compassionate, grieving women that wanted to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. They were even more anxious and confused when they couldn’t find his body there.
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7)
The angel knew exactly what the women were feeling at that moment. Sorry. Grief. Confusion. Uncertainty. Where is Jesus? We just want to see our Jesus!
The angel calmed their fears. Oh, don’t you and I need that? Those fears of the unknown that grip us at the most inopportune of times. The angel knew they were looking for Jesus and told them “He has risen, just as he said.” The angels literally invited the women to see for themselves that Jesus had risen from the dead. Finally, the angel told them to go quickly and tell his disciples.
Don’t miss their trip to spread the news. On the way from the tomb, afraid, yet filled with joy, Jesus steps out of nowhere on the path! “Greetings.” he said. “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10) Jesus was alive and present with them! Why should they fall prey to fear?
We can get so caught up in our fears that we miss what’s right in front of us. An empty tomb. A resurrected Savior. A place of grace for all to see, where the lost can experience redemption. Mary Magdalene and Mary with great joy gave witness to the risen Christ. They didn’t let their fears get in the way of spreading the greatest story ever told.
Jesus’ command to the women becomes a command to each of us today: Stop being afraid. God has defeated death. We are loved, redeemed and wanted by God Himself. We have nothing to fear.
Linger a bit longer in Easter. I’m not done with Easter.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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