Easter Day
Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” vss. 5b-6
Matthew 28:1-10
As we come to the end of Holy Week, it is fascinating to see the shifting emphasis of the gospel message. It started with our Good Friday remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross, a sign of God’s great love and a reminder that our sinful selves have died with him. That good news underlines the unconditional forgiveness that is ours in Christ Jesus. We have forever been set free from the chains of our past lives so that, in Paul’s words, we might walk in newness of life. And now on Easter, the gospel message shifts. The women are told, “Do not be afraid,” and to move on from the empty tomb, and that Jesus will reconvene with them in Galilee. And then as the text continues, there’s another surprise. Jesus meets the women on the way–before they even get to Galilee! And that’s the second part of the good news! We don’t have to fear the future. Jesus has been resurrected and is waiting to welcome us with open arms when we breathe our last, but more than that, we’re going to meet him on the Way. Not only do we have freedom from the past and freedom for the future, but with the continuing presence of Jesus, we can have perfect peace in the present!
Thought for the Day: What keeps me from having perfect peace every day?
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