FEAR OF DEATH
«But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified» (Matthew 28:5)
The women who accompanied Jesus during His ministry did not abandon Him even after His death. They prepared aromatic spices to anoint Him, and after the Sabbath rest, they went early in the morning to the place where He was buried. They agreed to meet by His tomb. Mary Magdalene got there first (see John 20:1 and The Desire of Ages, ch. 82, p. 788). How did she plan to move the stone that the Roman guards had placed over the entry to seal the tomb? (see Mark 16:3). But as shown to us in the story, when you act by faith, God does the rest. An angel came and moved the stone (see Matthew 28:2). Mary Magdalene ran to tell the disciples (see John 20:2). The other women, Mary the mother of James, Salome, and Joanna (see Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:10) came to the tomb as agreed. Mary Magdalene went back to meet her friends, then they saw the angel who had resurrected Jesus, sitting on the stone that had been rolled away (Matthew 28:2). The angel gave them the message of the resurrection, and commissioned them to announce it to others. Their devotion was rewarded. Their efforts were not in vain. Your work can at times seem to be ignored by those around you, but you will certainly be rewarded by God Himself, in ways you cannot even imagine.
Without delay, the women went joyfully to give their report to the disciples: ‘He is risen, He is risen! The women repeat the words again and again. No need now for the anointing spices. The Saviour is living, and not dead. They remember now that when speaking of His death He said that He would rise again. What a day is this to the world! Quickly the women departed from the sepulcher ‘with fear and great joy; and did run co bring His disciples word.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, ch. 82, p. 789. Again, their initial fear was transformed into reverent fear and indescribable joy. ‘So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word» (Matthew 28:8).
Hide your life in Jesus, and you will not fear, not even death.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Angelica Cuate & Esteban Cortes