“HE HAS RISEN!”

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.” —Matthew 28:5, 6

As with the announcements of Jesus’ birth, an angel appeared to deliver incredible news to unlikely recipients. And again, it was an unexpected appearance from this strange being. This was not what the women were expecting to find at the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The description of the angel’s appearance—“His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow” (Matthew 28:3)—and the terrifying effect it had on the Roman soldiers who had been guarding the tomb (see Matthew 28:4) underline the alarming nature of this encounter. But there was also the surprising content of the angel’s message.

It was difficult to understand and accept; it would test their faith; it would be a dangerous message for them to proclaim, and it was profoundly world-changing. It also marked another important step forward in repairing the broken relationship between God and humanity. Thus, “Do not be afraid” was a far-reaching and necessary introduction to the angel’s message to Mary and “the other Mary.” As overwhelming as his appearance and message were, the angel also showed them the evidence, demonstrating the emptiness of the tomb in which they had seen Jesus buried on Friday afternoon. And then he charged them with the task of going to tell the rest of the disciples. Heading back to the awakening city as bearers of this astounding news, the women were simultaneously “afraid yet filled with joy” (Matthew 28:8). They could hardly bring themselves to believe it at the same time as they set out to share it. Their lives, the city, and all our world would be transformed by the terrifying and wonderful news that only they yet knew.