Matthew 28:1-10 (He has Risen)

 

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.”

Like a slow sunrise, the first Easter morning started in a dark place; in shadow.

Then God's heavenly soliders, the angels, came to shake things up in our world.

Obedient to God, they rolled the stone over Jesus' tomb away.

They had to make a straight path for the Lord to travel (Mark 1:3).

They saw it was dark, but they knew the Son of Man would rise.

Then onto the scene come humans, us who are a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5).

And to a group of women, those who will bear the seeds of generations, the angels speak.

The angels say plainly that they came looking for a dead man, but they won't find Him here.

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5)

No one will ever find Jesus, our Lord and Savior, among the dead, because He is not there.

He is risen!

Look for Him among the living, because He is alive!

The world says that death is a certainty in life, but when the women heard this, it wasn't anymore.

They shook with fear at the truth of life beyond the grave.

They were filled with joy knowing death is not the end.

It will be just as Jesus said,

"“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming 

when all who are in their graves will hear [the Father's] voice 

and come out.

Those who have done what is good will rise 

to live, 

and those who have done what is evil will rise 

to be condemned" (John 5:28-29).

They believed that death had been defeated, and that Jesus was alive!

And then they saw Him.

The Son of Man had risen.

He said to them,

"Good morning!"

As if it were any other day.

It wasn't just any other day.

That day more than any before really was a good morning.

That is the good news of the morning.

That is the good news of every morning.

Good morning!

He is risen!

Source

• The Bible (New International Version)