But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28-5-6
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, believed to be the mother of Joseph (not the Joseph, husband of Mary, Jesus' mother) had been at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. Today, Sunday morning, they had come to anoint the body of Jesus. All of a sudden an angel appears and rolls the stone away from the tomb. Naturally the women are terrified and so would we have been! The angel knew why they were there. He told them, "Do not be afraid." "He is not here; for he has been raised." "Come, see the place where he lay."
It has been said that in Scripture we are told not to fear 366 times. One for each day of the year and one extra! We are so quick to fear. When we read this passage in its context, we see that the angel said, "Come see." Seeing is believing! Then he told the women to go and share the Good News. We, too, are told: "Fear not, believe, and tell others." On this Easter Day, in our lives, we witness new life and we need to tell others what we have witnessed! The Tomb is empty! He is not where the dead dwell, for he is alive. Alleluia!
Bill Ticknor+
