After the Sabbath ended, at the first light of dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to take a look at the tomb.
Suddenly, the earth shook violently beneath their feet as the angel of the Lord Jehovah descended from heaven.
Lightning flashed around him and his robe was dazzling white! The guards were stunned and terrified—lying motionless like dead men.
Then the angel walked up to the tomb, rolled away the stone, and sat on top of it!The women were breathless and terrified, until the angel said to them, “There’s no reason to be afraid. I know you’re here looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously, just as he said! Come inside the tomb and see the place where our Lord was lying.
Then run and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead! I give you his message: “I am going ahead of you in Galilee and you will see me there.”
They rushed quickly to tell his disciples, and their hearts were deep in wonder and filled with great joy.
Along the way, Jesus suddenly appeared in front of them and said, “Rejoice!” They were so overwhelmed by seeing him
that they bowed down and grasped his feet in adoring worship.Then Jesus said to them, “Throw off all your fears. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will find me there.”
–Matthew 28:1-10, The Passion Translation
Transcript: Imagine the cold, heavy, anxious fear and sorrow that these women must have felt as they journeyed to the tomb that day.
Imagine them arriving at the tomb and finding the stone rolled away, the empty grave clothes in the place where Jesus’ body was supposed to be.
Imagine the shock, confusion and then overwhelming joy they felt as they met the risen Jesus in the garden.
Their Lord was alive! Imagine how these women were transformed in that one moment.
The grave could not hold him. Jesus defeated death and Satan. Nothing is impossible for Him!
Take a minute to ponder:
What situations are weighing you down today?
How do you think the risen, victorious Jesus wants to transform you?