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Months ago, as we prepared our hearts for the birth of Jesus during Advent, the Society of St. Andrew booklet of daily devotions was titled, "Do Not Be Afraid." Our writers focused on the words of the angel to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds. Day after day, we were reminded that faith casts out fear, that God's love is greater, bigger, and stronger, than all our fears. Here, at the Resurrection, we hear the same message again, from an angel who greets the women at the tomb: "Do not be afraid."
It's hard for us to wrap our heads around all the fears the women at the tomb must have! Certainly the women, in that moment, have much to fear: the tomb being desecrated, Jesus's body stolen, Roman retribution, the Sadducees and their followers ... and those are just a few of the immediate fears! They probably also don't have a way to get back to their home villages from Jerusalem, and they may have left family behind and reputation in tatters when they left to follow Jesus-so they may not even be welcome when they return home.
Yet in the hysteria of the moment, in their fear and grief, the women don't just walk away from the tomb. They run, "with fear and great joy," to tell the disciples the good news. As they run, they meet Jesus himself, and fall at his feet to worship him. Jesus repeats the angel's message: "Do not be afraid!"
Death cannot hold him, and hell has no power. Jesus is truly free-as are they and we. There is nothing left to fear. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is risen today, all on earth and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high. Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, where O death is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, fought the fight the battle won. Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids his rise, Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!
- Charles Wesley (adapt.)
Prayer: Christ has died, Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
- Lynette Johnson,
Buena Vista, VA
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