Matthew 28:8 (ESV)
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
The women had a spectacular encounter right after they found his body no more in the tomb. He is risen! Yet they were struck with fear. We celebrate each year the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We call to remembrance his wondrous extraordinary act of going through a cruel death and then arose again, in the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. The annual celebration has turned into a very commercialized secular event of Easter eggs and bunnies. Are we conscious not to allow such a shallow interpretation of this immensely powerful deed of God to leave a superficial impression in our lives?
The women came into the holiness of God. Thus they were fearful. It was such an astounding phenomenon that they didn’t know how to respond immediately. The voice of the angel reassured them instantly and issued a command to “go” and inform the disciples. Their encounter was a sudden onset met with a reverence and radical faith to go immediately. Yes, they were afraid but they were filled with “great joy”. Such tremendous delight overtook their fear. A deep satisfying fulfillment overwhelmed their soul. It is unspeakable joy! Joy elates us and will compel us to arise and go.
No one can sit still when these two emotions invade us – fear and joy. What ambiguous emotion! It drove the women to go quickly to send the good news. It couldn’t be contained. That is the incredible outburst of joy. Joy is not meant to be subdued. Joy overflows. Great joy explodes!
We are recipients of that great joy. Today go and spread that joy.
“Father, thank you for the joy of the Lord. Let me be the carrier of this joy to the broken world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 14 April 2020.