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Scripture |
Matthew 28: 1-10 28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee ; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee ; there they will see me.”
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Devotional |
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were the first to come to the tomb of Jesus. They were confronted with a great earthquake and then an angel came to rollaway the stone. They were the first to witness the empty tomb. Because of fear, the guards became like dead men. Jesus’ resurrection has affected them in this way. Those who they were alive now discover that what they took for life is death. The two women, who should have been scared to death, are greeted with these words, “Do not be afraid, he has been raised from the dead.” “The two Marys were the first to witness the one whose resurrection will configure the time in which we live. A new Sabbath will be created because he is a new creation.” 1 The two Marys witness the event that is repeated again and again, “He has been raised from the dead.” As they were on their way to tell the disciples, Jesus meets them with the same words as the angel, “Do not be afraid.” How could Jesus say to them “do not be afraid”? “Jesus has given the disciples everything they need not to be afraid. He has done so by drawing them, and us, into a way of life so compelling true that we have no time to be afraid.” 2 There are two responses for those who experience the resurrection. First, we can be like the guards who thought they were alive but now discover that what they took for life is death. Second, like the two Marys we discover what we thought was death is life-a new creation-a new beginning. “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers (and sisters) to go to Galilee ; there they will see me.” Jesus encourages us to leave the empty tomb and get back to Galilee (the real world) where we will see him. Being one who is always ready to move on to new and different adventures, I am in a hurry to be off to Galilee . I realize I should consider the process from emptiness to fullness. To leave home too quickly and too often, I would become a wander. But, on the other hand, if I stay home too long, I will become stuck in my ways. So a balance is necessary. Look at the empty tomb but also keep in mind the journey to Galilee . Neither extreme leads to a balanced spiritual life.
1 Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew. Grand Rapids : Brazos Press.2006. p. 244
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