Sermon Text: Matthew 28:1-10
Sermon Excerpt
Think about how the day begins. The two Mary’s know that Jesus is dead. The future they had been planning for themselves died with Jesus. They were mourning. In the midst of their grief they did the only thing they knew to do; they went where Jesus was.
While all four Gospel writers include this story, only Matthew features special effects that would play well to a modern audience, especially on the big screen. One contemporary paraphrase explains the earthquake greeting in this way:
Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it.
Fear overcomes the women. Mary and Mary are paralyzed as the scene unfolds before them.
Fear is their initial response to the arrival of an angel. Fear has been everyone’s response. Before angels can utter good news, they have to calm their intended recipients. The Gospels have featured several angelic greetings that move the story along to where it is today:
- “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah, your wife Elizabeth will bear a son and you will name him John.”
- “Don’t be afraid, Mary.”
- “Don’t be afraid, shepherds. I bring you good news of great joy.”
- “Don’t be afraid, Joseph, take Mary as your wife. Her baby is conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
And now, this morning we have another angelic appearance that begins with these words:
“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.”
Mary and Mary did the only thing they could: they rushed off to do as they had been instructed. As they hurried down the road they encountered the Resurrected One. Jesus’ initial word was “Greetings,” but was followed immediately by the now familiar phrase “Do not be afraid.”
In my retelling of the story to . . . (read manuscript or watch video)
So What?
Fear happens. Fear is a common biblical response to the appearance of an angle. Fear is a normal human response to the unknown as well as the unexplainable. Fear, however, is often a response that should be temporary. No matter how you react initially to the news of Resurrection, your ultimate response can be/become one of faith.
- What do you think the “Easter difference” is?
- How might you live it out in your own life?