Stop Being Afraid, Jesus Is Risen!

Introduction

Losing the Bigs in Walmart around Christmas...

Fear is a common human experience. Often times, it’s understandable.

It’s also often short-lived.

However, what happens when fear grips us in such a way that it becomes debilitating to living our lives, and more importantly, fulfilling God’s call for our life?

Body: Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 28:1–5 ESV

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

Interesting Note: When the angel says, “Do not be afraid” in the original Greek, it’s in the present tense.

In essence, the angel is saying, “Stop being afraid.”

Consider what they had to be afraid of:

There was an earthquake;

They are seeing an angel;

The Roman soldiers assigned to the tomb were paralyzed with fear;

The male disciples were hiding out, hoping they didn’t get arrested as well;

Their rabbi was dead;

Their hope that Jesus was the Messiah had apparently been dashed.

Key Question: Why are the women encouraged to stop being afraid?

Matthew 28:5–6 ESV

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.

They could stop being afraid because Jesus is alive, just as He promised.

The angel makes it clear that Jesus isn’t simply missing or gone, but He actually was raised from the dead, as He promised He would.

Some would say, “But that’s a hard teaching!”

Yes, but the Gospel writers went to great lengths to share multiple proofs of the resurrection...

In fact, the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the most important teaching of the Christian faith.

Without His bodily resurrection, Jesus would still be in a tomb somewhere and all he said about rising from the dead would be false. He would be nothing more than a well-meaning false prophet.

Without His bodily resurrection, believers would not be justified before God. Why not?

Because Christ’s death paid the price for sins and his resurrection showed that God had accepted the payment in full. Thus, God’s approval of Christ results in the approval of all who are united with Christ; all those who trust Christ as Lord.

Truly, the Gospel isn’t complete without the Risen Savior!

Matthew 28:7 ESV

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.”

They could stop being afraid because they would see Jesus again.

This wasn’t some spiritual resurrection where they would simply feel his presence in a stronger way.

They would actually see him, and as we will see in a second, touch him and worship him.

Illustration: When someone dies the greatest desire loved ones have is that they will see them again…

But in this case they wouldn’t have to wait, it would happen soon!

They were being called to have faith, which they were weak at…

But, soon their faith would turn to sight!

Matthew 28:8 ESV

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

They could stop being afraid because they had reason for great joy.

What is an adjective?

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, describing a particular quality of the word.

For example: add the adjective “perfect” to the word “score” and you get “perfect score.”

Notice which word gets the adjective in this verse: joy!

We have an example of great fear; it’s in verse 4…

Matthew 28:4 ESV

And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

The women have fear, but they have great joy!

This word ‘great’ in the Greek is μέγας. It’s where we get the English word ‘mega.’

We usually reserve ‘mega’ for really huge things…

So we could say these women fear, but have mega joy!

Matthew 28:9–10 ESV

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

They could stop being afraid because Jesus had a mission for them.

Twice the women are told to go and give a message to the disciples. Three things to take notice:

The women worship Jesus…

The message was for the ‘brothers.’

Not the backstabbers, the wimps, the losers who deserted me.

In this we see forgiveness and renewed fellowship; not because of them, but because of Jesus love.

The message was to go.

They weren’t to hide out, like they were doing now. They were to go to Galilee where they would receive their marching orders that would forever change their lives.

So What?

What are you afraid of?

COVID-19?; family troubles?; potential financial meltdown?; personal struggles?; health issues?; political nonsense?; terrorism and warfare?; etc…

We have many reasons to have mega joy as well:

Jesus is the Risen Lord who is alive!

Jesus is Risen…

We say that with a smile on Resurrection Sunday, but how often do we live like we believe that?

Too often we live like Jesus is our favorite philosopher, our favorite teacher, our favorite superhero, but not like our Risen Lord, who is alive today and actively involved our lives!

How would that change the places we go, the things we look at, the way we face challenges, the way we raise our family, the way we love others, the way we use our time, the way we use our money, or the way we participate with his bride, the church?

Those who believe will see Him some day!

We will one day see Him.

At death, or at His return…

Every knee will bow… (Phil. 2:10)

However, only His followers will be with Him in Heaven…

He has a mission for us today!

To bring the Gospel to this community and abroad.

To live as people who have been changed by the Gospel.