The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said.
Come and look at the place where he was placed. “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”
The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples.
Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him.
Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”
Matthew 28:5-10 MSG
Oh, to be like the women who rushed to the tomb. They couldn’t stay away. They were looking for Jesus. The One who had changed them forever. Why wouldn’t they be looking for Him?
And I love the response of the angel upon seeing their faces, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus. The Jesus they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised just AS HE SAID!”
Those last three words define Jesus…what He says, He does. His promises are always truth-proof.
The angel recognizes that the women need to see where Jesus had been placed. But don’t linger there, as Jesus wants you to spread the GOOD NEWS to His faithful followers. Plus, He wanted me to tell you that He will meet you in Galilee. That is all.
Can you imagine the looks on their faces now? They were in deep wonder and full of joy. Deep wonder…what Jesus had been telling them all along had now come to pass and they were the first to behold it all. And full of joy…because it had come to pass. Jesus had beat death, just as He said. They had believed and now they see! (That’s how it always works in God’s economy…you believe first…then you see…and you, too, are filled with wonder and joy!)
So, the women did the next right thing…they ran to tell the Good News with their buddies, the disciples. The best part about doing the next right thing is that Jesus meets you there. He’s suddenly in your midst greeting you with a sweet “Good Morning” as if all is right in your world. And you’re reminded that it is! Jesus is here! All is well!
To the point where the women could do nothing else than to worship Him. Nothing else matters. You don’t care who is around. All you can do is fall to your knees and embrace Jesus. But Jesus reassures them to do the next right thing…Go and tell my brothers I will meet them too.
So simple. So sweet. So factual. So “yep, here I am and I did what I said.” Now you go and share the good news unabashedly. And right away. I’ll meet you there.
His promises. His showing up in the midst of our concerns. His assurance. Our focus on Jesus. He does what He says. He says what He does. You and I can live just like the women who rushed to the tomb…filled with deep wonder and full of joy!
