Mt 28:1-10 - Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
What a great story of fear in all dimensions. The guards became like dead men when they saw the angel, but the same angel said, “Do not be afraid!” So they depart with fear and joy only to see Jesus who says, “Do not be afraid!” We see in the passage the awesomeness of God and his angels that well up fear in our bodies, and then we also see the care and love that we are commanded not to fear. Fear God and fear no one. God is to be worshipped above all.
