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Scripture context:
Matthew 28:3-10 (NIV)
"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. 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.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
As the sun began to rise, casting its golden rays upon the earth, a profound stillness enveloped the garden tomb. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the hearts of those who had come to mourn were heavy with sorrow. Yet, little did they know, within the depths of that tomb, a miracle was unfolding—a miracle that would change the course of history forever.
In the quiet of the early morning, an angel descended from heaven, his presence radiant and awe-inspiring. His appearance was like lightning, and his garments gleamed white as snow. The guards, who stood watch over the tomb, trembled with fear and awe at the sight of him. They fell to the ground, overcome by the magnitude of the moment, like dead men.
But the angel spoke tenderly to the women who had come to pay their respects to Jesus.
“Do not be afraid,” he said, his voice a gentle reassurance amidst the chaos. “I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified. But he is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Can you imagine the sheer wonder and disbelief that must have filled the hearts of those women in that moment? The realization that the one they had loved and followed, the one they had watched die upon a cross, was now alive—truly alive!—filled them with a joy beyond comprehension.
Filled with both fear and joy, the women wasted no time in obeying the angel’s command. They hurried away from the tomb, their hearts pounding with excitement, eager to share the miraculous news with Jesus’ disciples.
And then, in the midst of their haste, they encountered him—Jesus himself, standing before them in all his resurrected glory. “Greetings,” he said, his voice a soothing balm to their souls. Overwhelmed with emotion, they fell to their knees before him, clasping his feet in worship and adoration.
“Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them, his words echoing the angel’s earlier reassurance. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
In this moment, as we journey through the season of Lent, let us remember the profound truth contained within these verses: that our Savior is risen, triumphant over sin and death! Just as he conquered the grave on that glorious Easter morning, so too does he offer us the promise of new life and hope, even in our darkest moments.
May we, like the women at the tomb, be filled with both fear and joy as we encounter the risen Christ in our own lives. And may we, with eager hearts and unwavering faith, go forth to share the good news of his resurrection with all who will listen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the miracle of Easter—the miracle of your Son’s resurrection. May we, like the women at the tomb, be filled with awe and wonder at the reality of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Give us the courage to proclaim this good news to the world, that all may come to know the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ alone. Amen.
Dan Wutzke
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