Once again I’m struck by the words: “Don’t be afraid.” Or “Don’t be alarmed.” This had to be a confusing time for Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Their beloved Lord had been hauled away by the authorities. He had been tried and found guilty. He had been beaten, been mocked, and was finally crucified. They watched as he gave up his spirit and died. They watched as he was taken down from the cross and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They saw the great rock rolled in front of the tomb. And, then, to top it all off, as they come to the tomb, there is a great earthquake and they behold an angel outside the tomb.
The Roman guards see this too, but are bribed to say the disciples stole the body. As Roman soldiers, if this were true, they would have been killed for dereliction of duty.
Not only did the angel tell them not be afraid, but when they ran into Jesus, he also told them, “Don’t be afraid.”
What a confusion of emotions the ladies and the disciples must have experienced. Just imagine how you would have felt.
When things are happening that you don’t understand or that threaten to overwhelm you, please remember the words: “Don’t be afraid.”
Tomorrow, we’ll read Luke 24 and John 20 - 21.
Once again I’m struck by the words: “Don’t be afraid.” Or “Don’t be alarmed.” This had to be a confusing time for Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Their beloved Lord had been hauled away by the authorities. He had been tried and found guilty. He had been beaten, been mocked, and was finally crucified. They watched as he gave up his spirit and died. They watched as he was taken down from the cross and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They saw the great rock rolled in front of the tomb. And, then, to top it all off, as they come to the tomb, there is a great earthquake and they behold an angel outside the tomb.
The Roman guards see this too, but are bribed to say the disciples stole the body. As Roman soldiers, if this were true, they would have been killed for dereliction of duty.
Not only did the angel tell them not be afraid, but when they ran into Jesus, he also told them, “Don’t be afraid.”
What a confusion of emotions the ladies and the disciples must have experienced. Just imagine how you would have felt.
When things are happening that you don’t understand or that threaten to overwhelm you, please remember the words: “Don’t be afraid.”
Tomorrow, we’ll read Luke 24 and John 20 - 21.
Until next time…
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