Matthew 28:1-10 Resurrection Joy

28:1-4 Fear. There is so much that we fear in this life, and the first disciples had even more reasons: their Master had been killed in the most brutal and public way possible. As Mary and Mary come to the tomb, they also are confronted with fear: the fear of the miraculous! 28:5-7 Life. The good news is this: what Jesus had repeatedly taught is exactly what had happened. He was no longer dead in the tomb, but had risen. Jesus was alive! The mission for the women was simple: they were to look in, see for themselves that Jesus wasn’t there, and then take this wonderous news to the rest of the disciples. 28:8-10 Joy. On their way, the ladies meet Jesus Himself! Their fear is rapidly turning into joy! They respond with worship, and are then told to take the message of Christ’s life to the disciples who will see Him in Galilee. The Point: Jesus Christ has risen from the grave, defanging death, and proving to those who follow Him that the life He taught about is a promise that He will deliver on. Prayer: Father, thank you so much for giving us joy that we don’t deserve. Thank you for the cross; thank you for the empty tomb! Thank you that our King lives! Change our hearts to respond in worship and to live in joy. Application: Trust Jesus Christ as your Risen King! Respond to Him with worship, with joy. Look for a way to spread that joy in Jesus to somebody else in the week ahead.