MATTHEW 28:8

When the faithful sisters went to the tomb in search of Jesus on the first day of the week, as it was beginning to dawn, the first words they heard from the mouth of the angel was “Fear ye not” (Matthew 28:5). The angel who met them at the tomb also commissioned them to “go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and He goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see Him: lo, I have told you” (Matthew 28:7). We are told they did exactly as the angel of the Lord commanded them. “They departed quickly … and did run to bring His disciples word”. May the Almighty help us to see the urgency of relaying this message.

Even now the resurrected Lord keeps saying to us over and over – Fear not. Everything that transpired in the last few days and hours conspired to drive fear into their hearts, yet the heavenly messenger, declared – Fear not and go. As puzzled and as confused as they were about the empty tomb, the message came, that they first needed to stay calm and not to allow fear to override and overwhelm their souls. I pray God that even now, we would learn how not to be so afraid and panicked about the unfolding of life and its events. Nothing must be allowed to stop us now. The crucified Savior is indeed risen and alive, and He permanently resides and tabernacles with us. I pray against fear and every hindrance to us running with this message.

Let’s also quickly admit here that these sisters were, to our human minds, justifiably apprehensive and probably scared out of their wits, but at least they came. The question that remains is, where were the men? They were the very ones who so solemnly swore they would be with Him to prison and to death (Luke 22:33). Yet they remained hidden, fearful and afraid, huddled together and sequestered, grief-stricken and faithless. When the men had become disillusioned and paralyzed into inaction, the woman moved and were used by God to reignite their dying faith and flagging zeal. Their role in propagating this resurrection message is indispensable and must never be minimized. Thank God, the preaching and proclamation of this gospel message has no gender-bias. The message is so crucial that both men and women have been commissioned to share this most glorious news.

Today over and over we rejoice in the fact that “He is not here: He is risen, as He said, come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6). Yes, today over 2000 years later, we still rejoice and celebrate in the knowledge of this fact. Easter has become the most significant fact of our Christian history and our lives. We serve, not a dead Messiah, but a risen Savior. This will never become stale or archaic for us. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow! As a result of His sacrifice upon the cruel cross, sin, hell, death and the grave have been overwhelmingly conquered. Death is not only defeated but swallowed up in victory. We physically must die, but because of Him we too shall rise triumphantly from the grave. The Word declares after the sisters received this message from the angel “… they quickly departed from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word” (Matthew 28:8). We too run with this message with excitement and great joy! He is risen! Happy and Blessed Easter!