Matthew 28:8-10
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
How do you think you will respond when you first see Jesus? I imagine your initial face-to-face encounter with the Risen Savior will take place in the glory of heaven. Maybe you will see Jesus at a distance and go running to embrace him. Maybe his appearance will be so majestic that you will not know how to approach him. Whatever He looks like and whatever the heavenly scenery may be, I’m sure we will all treat Jesus the same way the women did after leaving the empty tomb. They fell at his feet, wrapped their arms around him and worshiped. These women had gone to the tomb to perform final burial rites, knowing in the predawn hours that Jesus was dead and his body sealed inside the tomb. They went there that morning with sorrowful hearts, but then, after encountering the angel and seeing the stone rolled away from the empty tomb, they ran off “afraid yet filled with joy.” That’s when they first saw the Risen Lord and worshiped him.
Everything changed in that moment. The women, along with all the disciples, had known and loved Jesus as their teacher. They had witnessed his miracles and been inspired by his words. They had shared meals with Jesus and discussed the wonders of God. They had decided to follow Jesus, even starting to believe that He was the Messiah prophesied about in scripture. But then He was taken from them and brutally killed. All that they had hoped for seemed crushed and lost forever in the cold stone of that tomb. The shadowy sadness of death hung over them, until “suddenly Jesus met them.” In that wonderful moment, as joy eclipsed fear, their faith sprang to life. Not only had their friend and teacher been restored to them, but now they understood who He truly is. They clasped the feet of their Savior and worshiped their Lord.
It’s touching how Jesus called the disciples his “brothers.” A few days before, He had called them “friends” (John 15:15). These words tell us of Jesus’ love for his followers and how He invites us to share in his ministry. We like thinking of ourselves as Jesus’ friends, but we should never forget that He is also our Lord, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega. Like the women who met him that beautiful morning, our hearts should fall down and worship him. Jesus is risen and deserves our praise forever and ever.
Jesus, I love You and praise Your name. Thank You for dying for me and for rising again. You are my Savior and my Lord, and I will worship You forever. Help me to share the news of Your resurrection with others so they can worship You too. Amen.
____________________________
Pastor Mike Mirakian
