Fear, Joy, and the First Witnesses

By Dean Collins

Of course it was the women. It often is the women who handle the difficult and awkward situations. If you are a man reading this, you know I am speaking the truth! How many times has a woman in your life made preparations for an important family, social, or business event? How many times has a woman in your family or workplace had the difficult conversation or cleaned up a mess? How many times has a woman stepped into a situation at just the right time to speak some truth to you? And how many times was it a woman who brought the right amount of compassion, mercy, and grace to a situation?

Women aren't perfect; they sin and fall short just like men do. But women don't always get the credit they deserve for the work they do. Maybe Matthew was just being a man when he mentioned Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary." Really? The other Mary? Yes, Mary was a common name in the day of Jesus, but surely Matthew could have come up with more of a description. This "other Mary" was one of the first to see Jesus that Sunday morning and probably wouldn't have even blinked when the first edition of the scroll that became Matthew's gospel hit the best seller list at the Jerusalem bookstore. It didn't matter whether Matthew gave her credit for her work. It was enough to have seen Jesus fully alive after his resurrection.

An angel appeared with a crash and moved the stone that sealed the tomb. We don’t know where the men were who were to guard the tomb. Had they abandoned their posts? Did they run and hide when the stone was removed? Matthew records that the two Marys, while afraid, stayed engaged and were given the big job of telling the rest of the boys that Jesus was alive. They left to do their job with fear and great joy. And as they went, Jesus came to them. He told them not to be afraid. They fell to the feet of Jesus in worship. Jesus then instructed them to go tell the others to meet him in Galilee. Can you imagine the joy on their faces when they delivered this news of the risen Lord?! Joy fills us when we are aware that Jesus is still alive and with us! Because of the resurrection we have no reason to fear the worst. The resurrection changed everything.

Here is an important thing to remember. Jesus is still alive, and he still speaks through his word and by his Spirit that we should not be afraid. Whether it's a big or small moment, a simple or hard assignment, he is alive and brings us great joy as we face the challenges of the day. Let him speak to your fear today and then embrace your assignment with joy. He is there with you. And if you are still struggling, find a woman to help you. Seems like Jesus knew who he could trust with important stuff like telling the world he was alive! 

Father, may we never let the resurrection be an ending of our Easter celebration. May we live today and every day with joy and excitement because Jesus is alive and with us. May his presence change our behavior today as we meet everyone in our paths. Teach us to live confidently and serve boldly through the resurrection power that is in us by your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 27:62-66, 28:1-10, 18-20 ESV

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