Read: Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘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. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Fear has ruled humanity since the Fall. Fear of death, fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of being forgotten. But when Jesus stepped out of the tomb, He declared with His very breath: Fear is finished.
Christ’s resurrection is not just a comfort—it is a conquest. In rising from the grave, He didn’t just escape death; He defeated sin, the true source of all our fears. The grip of sin and the shadow of death no longer have the final say. The soul is secured, and the body will be raised. This changes everything.
Jesus tells His followers not to fear. Why? Because what once threatened us—condemnation, separation from God, eternal death—has been dismantled by the cross and emptied by the resurrection. In Christ, we are free. Free not just from fear, but for mission.
We are called into the world as kingdom-builders—ambassadors of the risen King. We proclaim truth in the light. We speak boldly from the rooftops. We work and witness in a world still limping from the wounds of sin, knowing that Christ is coming again to rule on earth as in heaven.
Our mission is not fueled by fear of the world, but by faith in the victory of our King. We live in expectation—not just of survival, but of full redemption. The God who counts the sparrows and numbers our hairs is the God who will soon renew all creation, wipe away every tear, and reign forever.
So do not be afraid. Not of death. Not of opposition. Not of what might come tomorrow. The tomb is empty. The King is alive. And the kingdom is on the way.
Pray: Risen Lord, drive out fear from my heart. Let the power of Your resurrection fill me with courage. Teach me to live boldly, proclaiming Your truth and building Your kingdom, as I await the day You return to make all things new. Amen.
