Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 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.”
An angel in dazzling white clothes brings good news!
“Jesus is not here, he has risen from the dead, just as he said he would do! Run and tell the others.”
Imagine what those women must have felt. Imagine the mixture of fear and surprise, of joy and doubt!
The next part of the story is particularly interesting to me. Jesus appears to the women, and what do they do? The run to him, fall to the ground, clasp his feet and worshipped him.
It is my prayer that today we do the same.
Let’s not drag our feet into the sanctuary. Let’s not stand in our usual spot and mumble “He is risen...”
No! Let’s run! Let’s fall to the ground, clasp Jesus’ feet and let’s worship with abandon. Let’s worship with unbridled joy! Let’s pour out our souls to our God who saved us! Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pray: Fill our hearts with joy and wonder so that we may worship you in a manner you deserve...with EVERYTHING we’ve got! Amen.
