Verse: Matthew 28:1-10
And the [wildly powerful and extremely scary angel who looks like lightning] said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” (emphasis mine)
Devotion
Do you ever think about how crazy the Easter story would have been to live through? Picture this: Mary Magdalene and her friend Mary were on their way to visit Jesus’ tomb, feeling sad because Jesus had died. Then boom, out of nowhere, this angel that’s so bright that they can’t even look at it shows up to roll away the stone, but he’s so powerful that he causes an earthquake and nearly kills the guards. Did God have to make his messengers so flashy? Why the over the top entrance?
Next, the angel starts the conversation with the most insane thing he could possibly say: “Don’t be afraid”. Right, there’s a dude in front of you who looks like lightning and just made the Roman guards pass out in fear, but you’re supposed to just chill out. What? How?
After proving to the women that Jesus isn’t in the tomb anymore, the angel tells them to go catch up with him by running to Galilee. They do meet Jesus on the way, and obviously they freak out because he has to tell them not to be afraid too. Maybe his post-resurrection appearance was terrifying like the angel, or maybe it’s just that their dead friend and teacher was alive again.
This story is wild and incredibly dramatic. Jesus doesn’t just rise from the dead like he’s waking up groggily from a nap on a rainy afternoon, no—he seems to be teleporting wherever he wants to go, has angels blowing up his tomb, and is so awesome in his appearance that the people who knew him best don’t seem to recognize him or even know what to do about his re-existence.
This chapter’s a whirlwind: Jesus goes from dead, to alive, to reappearing in front of everyone, to telling everyone to go spread the news in just 20 short verses. It’s full of energy, flair, and intensity. Jesus always refers to himself as an example to be followed, so why would this be any different? We can’t just sit around and be boring blobs who do nothing as Christ-followers. This story and the way it’s presented are no accident; it’s intended to be a call to action, to energy, and to passion. So rise up! Follow God’s call.
Author: Jordan Ambra
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