Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 (NLT)
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Before the resurrection of Jesus, God’s people at that time didn’t know what would happen after death. As a result, the focus was often on the present life on earth. But with the resurrection of Jesus, we know that there is life after death. Jesus told us that He is preparing a house for us and He went there ahead of us. This is what we can look forward to - that after this life is over, there is another where all is as it should be. Now we don’t only live for the present; we live for the future. This brings much comfort because we know what will happen to us. We know where we are going.
Responding to the transmission: The only proper response to this resurrection reality is to worship! Just as the women and disciples responded with great joy and worship, let us also rejoice and worship our risen Lord. Our confidence lies in the promise that we are not alone on this journey. Let us believe today that our Lord Jesus has risen and will be with us every step of the way. Let’s pray that this will be a reality today and in our every day walking and living and in our interactions with others.
