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.”
Matthew 28:1-10 NLT
Fear is part of life, yet God calls us out of our fear and into a life of faith and following Him. The guards at the tomb—when they saw the angel and the stone rolled away—were so afraid that they fainted! Yet the angel said, “Do not be afraid.” Don't be afraid! We are filled with worry, anxiety, and fear. Jesus has conquered sin, death, shame, injustice, and pain. He lives in us and He is stronger than the powers of darkness that make our lives miserable.
Do not be afraid! This is what Jesus said to us—He has conquered death! The Holy Spirit can work in us to take away our fear of death, loss, separation, insignificance, and every other thing. We are eternally secure in Him. We are called to join in His mission—living faithfully without fear in a world overcome with fear. The resurrection changes everything; it is the new world (with no fear) breaking into our world. New creation has begun, and we can begin to experience the life of eternity inside of ourselves now, as we surrender to the Spirit’s leading, draw close to the Father, and make a difference in this world with Jesus. Don’t be afraid! We are resurrection people. Never forget that the same power that conquered the grave lives in you (Eph 1:19-20).
Honestly, what are your fears? How can you bring your fears to Jesus, experience His resurrection power, and overcome?
