Do not be afraid!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV)

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.

Good morning!

Are you afraid to talk about Jesus outside of church? Do you worry that your faith might become an issue at work, within your circle of friends, or even amongst your own family?

The women who went to the garden tomb had to be very frightened. They knew the Romans were watching them. There were still plenty of angry Jews in Jerusalem; some of them were their own family members and friends. Because they had chosen to follow the Lord, they became aliens within their own community. It didn’t stop them from falling in love with the One who had set them free from sin. They witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching for three years. They knew without a doubt He was God’s promised Messiah, and so they continued to walk, especially on a morning just like this.

The angel who greeted them at the empty tomb gave the women four simple instructions. He said, “Do not be afraid; He is not here; Come and see; Go quickly and tell.” The women were looking for Christ’s physical body. They did not yet see that they had been transformed to Christ’s living body of believers. They were the body of Christ! He was no longer in the tomb; Christ is alive and living within every believer’s heart. Come and see for yourself; don’t take my word for it! Open the Bible and read the evidence; weigh it against everything you know to be true. I challenge you to ask God to reveal the truth of Christ to you. Now go, and quickly tell. Do not hesitate to share your faith with others. Only Jesus Christ can save. As members of His body, we are responsible for spreading the Gospel message to all who will listen. Some will reject Him, others will turn away. Do not let that stop you from sharing what you know to be true. Find new ways to share the truth of Christ by your words, deeds, behaviors, and simply loving people the way Christ continually loves you.

This is your day not to be afraid! Jesus Christ is alive! Come and see it for yourself, and then go spread the Good News!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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