He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

A new day was dawning, nevertheless things looked bleak. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher with spices in hand. They desired to anoint Jesus but wondered who would roll the stone away to give them access to his body. 

No need to wonder. God sent a great earthquake as the angel of the Lord descended and rolled back the stone. His brightness was like lightning and his raiment as white as snow. Imagine sudden lighting filling the sky at dawn while the sky is transitioning from darkness to light. His raiment might have appeared as does a deep snow glistening under the dawn of a new day. What a sight this heavenly visitor appeared to the keepers of the tomb. Shaking they became as dead men! 

They weren’t the only ones afraid. “Fear not,” said the angel to the women. Furthermore, he knew his bright appearance frightened these ladies. He also knew they sought Jesus; therefore, he gave them further word to comfort their seeking hearts. 

He is not here: for he is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

I cannot imagine how these ladies processed these early morning events. I imagine they spent a sleepless night, arose early, eager to anoint their crucified Savior, but instead felt the earthquake and met an angel. Yet they listened and followed the instructions of God’s glowing messenger.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:7

Full of both fear and joy, nevertheless the ladies left quickly as they went to tell the disciples. As they ran to tell the disciples, Jesus came to meet them!  They fell at His feet. What a day to worship their Savior! Additionally, Jesus tells the women not to fear but to go tell the disciples that he was no longer in the tomb, but was risen. 

Acknowledging that we are lost and encountering Jesus can be a frightening experience, until we surrender and worship Him as Lord. Once we have met the risen Savior and become a born-again believer, He bids us go and tell.

Words of Truth

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15