But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”1
Imagine yourself in that situation—Won’t you have had mixed emotions? Perhaps you experience goosebumps, heart palpitating, trembling, frightful but unable to flee. Yet, simultaneously excited that your despondency had lifted, bursting with tears of joy2 as you are reminded of Jesus’ words and teaching. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. . . .“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.3
The prophecies are validated. Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your faither’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”4 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.5
How could you even have doubted for a moment? You recall Jesus’ loud shout while he was languishing on the cross, bloodied and disfigured—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind6—giving up his breath, “It is finished!”7—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then . . . . to more than five hundred brothers at one time . . . to James, then all the apostles. . . . he appeared also to me.9
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.10 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.11
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”12 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!13
Notes:
1. Matthew 28:5-7
2. Matthew 28:8-10
3. John 14:1-7
4. Genesis 12:1-3
5. Psalm 22:27-28
6. Isaiah 52:14
7. John 19:30
8. Galatians 3:10-14
9. 1 Corinthians 15:3-11
10. Psalm 145:3
11. Psalm 145:18-20
12. Matthew 28:16-20
13. Psalm 146:10
