“1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.’ 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me’” Matthew 28:1-10.
The resurrection story in Matthew is very different from the other accounts. Among many things, what intrigues me the most are the identical words that both the angel and the resurrected Jesus speak: “Do not be afraid!”
I’ll be honest, we each day that passes in my life and I approach the day of my own deaf, sometimes I am afraid. So I pray, asking God for His mercy, and I voice once again how much I love Him and how I have always absolutely believed in Him, despite my sinful self.
But I have to tell you, I am really blessed by the identical words that both the angel and Jesus spoke: Do not be afraid! These words bring me a degree of peace. I feel Jesus telling me, “Do not be afraid of dying. Remember what I did for you on the Cross and in the empty tomb. I forgave you, saved you, and paid the penalty for your sins. Stay faithful to Me, and when you sin, return to me, repent, and change your ways. Remain with Me. Rely on my more-than-sufficient grace for you.”
And that is what I do. Everyday.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:4-5.
“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” James 2:13.
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