Matthew 27:45-28:10
I love reading about resurrection morning. It's so dramatic and literally awesome! An earthquake, an angel in lightning white clothing, guards paralyzed with fear, the faithful women coming to the tomb, and most importantly--no Jesus because He had risen! The angel's words to the women are my favorite part of this passage. "'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'" (vs.5-6). No doubt about it, Jesus is alive!
Over this past week we've read about Jesus' death and now resurrection through the eyes of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. So what did you take away from these passages? Did God reveal anything new to you or move your heart in some way? What will you do to keep the message of Jesus' death and resurrection going forward past Easter weekend? Tami W.
Ditto your favorite part..."Do not be afraid"...truly words to live by for followers of Christ. The hope we're born into gives us the knowledge that there's nothing...I mean NOTHING in this life that we can't endure for His sake. No loss, no pain, no heartache, no problem!
John tells us more about fear:
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
...and love:
1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
Paul on hope & love:
Romans 5:5
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
So, if the love of God has been poured out within our hearts and perfect love drives out fear (what could be more perfect than the love of God?) then there is no place for fear to exist within us. Another way to express Paul's sentiment in Romans 5:5 might be: "this hope does not disappoint because all fear is banished."
Back to my opening statement: To paraphrase Romans 5:3-4...Once you grasp saving faith in Christ, there's no longer anything to fear for the temporary part of us, our physical bodies. It doesn't matter what happens to it, and not only this, but we can actually embrace adversity because it strengthens the eternal part of us, our spirit.
I think the part of this series that stood out to me more then I had realized before was the part where Jesus attended to His people even after being beaten, mock, totally abused he did not argue. But continued to speak the message of salvation to those who opposed him. What a wonderful man and Great God He truly is. I pray we all will be more like Christ in our actions and words. Amen and Amen