Go Quickly and Tell

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ Matthew 28:1-10

The first ones at the tomb of Jesus were two women. The first ones to witness the resurrection and the empty tomb were two or more women in tears, still reeling from the trauma and fear they had experienced. They came to witness, to see the body, to grieve together in the early morning. Instead, they were shocked to see the angel and the empty tomb. The first words they heard were, "do not be afraid!" I'm not sure I could have stopped being afraid at that moment, particularly after all the horrors they had witnessed. They were called to see this incredible moment, and they were sent to tell the story. Despite their trembling hearts, they stepped out in faith and immediately encounter Jesus. May we step out in faith, no matter how terrified we are, trusting that we too will see Jesus.

Wondrous Creator, who changes sorrow to joy

you move away stones and change the story

those who were shunned from witnessed new life

and were empowered to run and tell the good news.

We sometimes feel empowered and then lose heart

we lean too much on our own skill and smarts

yet too often weariness and fear overwhelm us

and we forget we have a wonderful story to share.

Help us be life those first women at the tomb

despite their tears and terrors they went anyway

they stepped out in faith and carried the news

and found the embrace of love along the way. Amen.