“So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them, saying, ‘Greetings!’ They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.’” —Matthew 28:8–10
For those who love Jesus, His presence is essential. With Him we enjoy relationship, without Him we merely practice a cold religion. When our faith is lifeless—doing all the “to–do’s,” following the letter of the law, and working all hard to get to heaven—we stop listening for Jesus’ still small voice and are unable to discern His ways. We begin to lean on human wisdom and end up with lack luster results. Yet for those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, practicing religion is a pitiful substitute for walking in His presence. It is emptiness at best. Contrast this to joyfully walking with Him.
King David tells us:
“You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” —Psalm 16:11
Recently I was having one of those days when I was aware of my need of Jesus. Being visual, I pulled a rocking chair next to my desk and imagined Him sitting with me throughout the day. I practiced His presence. Throughout all of my boring chores He remained right beside me. Throughout all the difficulties I faced in that day, He was right there to guide me. While I know that He is always with me, sometimes it helps to have a visual reminder.
“The beloved of the Lord will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord places him on his chest.” —Deuteronomy 33:12
“Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!” —Deuteronomy 31:6
“Few delights can equal the mere presence of One whom we fully trust.” —George McDonald
At the very beginning of our verses for today, we see the women obediently hurrying from the Master’s tomb with the angel’s orders ringing in their ears. I’m sure their mood was a strange mixture of terror and joy all working together! Surely they must have felt this news too good to be true, yet they were oh so hopeful. Could this be a dream?
Casting aside their doubts, they hurry off to fulfill the angel’s instructions. Those sent on God’s mission must waste no time!
These women were sent to bring the disciples the wonderfully good news of Jesus’ resurrection! They ran to comfort them with the comfort they themselves had received. As disciples we should be eager to share our experiences with one another. We should tell what God has done for in our lives. God ever remains the source of our comfort in the midst of our troubles!
Paul tells us:
“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” —2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Almost immediately, we find Jesus appearing to the women to confirm the angelic testimony. He graciously and unexpectedly comes to them while they are merely fulfilling their duty. Jesus is closer to His people than we might think!
These women were rewarded for their faithfulness immeasurably more than they could have asked or imagined (see Ephesians 3:20). They were the first to hear the good news and they were the first to see Jesus as well. When He appears to them these women immediately shower Him with the love and affection they have for Him, holding on to Him so as not to let Him go. I am reminded of how a young child grabs hold of its mother in a deathlike grip if he thinks she is about to leave without him! I think this was perhaps the reaction the women were having. They did not speak, they just affectionately embraced. Their adoration spoke volumes.
Become More
“We are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology.” —Francis Schaeffer
“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” —Alexander Maclaren
Further Reflection
“The
believer is in spiritual danger if he allows himself to go for any length of
time without tasting the love of Christ and savoring the felt comforts of a
Savior’s presence. When Christ ceases to fill the heart with satisfaction, our
souls will go in silent search of other lovers … Because the Lord has made
himself accessible to us in the means of grace; it is our duty and privilege to
seek this experience from Him in these means till we are made the joyful
partakers of it.” —John Flavel