The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Fear (and possibly shame) is what, I believe, kept the 11 remaining disciples from visiting the tomb. These brave women who went to the tomb got to see God’s power and might displayed through his angel-messenger. This messenger was sent specifically for these women. Think about it, the guard could have been immobilized and the stone rolled back without the angel. But God chose to send the angel to be a representative of his heavenly kingdom, to show his power, and to comfort and bring personal joy to these wonderfully brave women.

He gives these faithful women a few commands here:
1. Fear not
2. Listen to the facts (implied)
3. Come and see
4. Go and proclaim

I think these are important commands for us today too. 1) Fear either paralyzes us or causes us to make poor or knee-jerk decisions. It sabotages our God-designed purpose and his will for us. 2) Listen and understand what is happening. Ask more questions. Seek God’s perspective on situations by reading his Word and through prayer. Listen to his messengers. 3) Investigate God’s Work. See how he moves in life circumstances and in hearts. Come close to him and he will come close to you. The angel invited these women into a tomb that once held the dead Messiah, but now represented the living Christ, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 4) Go tell others the truth about Jesus, our precious Savior and our merciful Lord. He is worthy of proclaiming good news about. If we love as he loves, we cannot help but bubble over with the good news about Jesus to all around.

I think these women had the heart condition that we all have when we proclaim the truth — joyful but a little afraid. The most important action here is obedience.

Lord, thank you for this picture of faithfulness by these women and how you rewarded it. May I learn from them and show up in faith to see the incredible, miraculous plan you want to do around me and at times through me.