5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Those disciples who are constantly seeking after the Savior – not casually but cluster continuously about Him – ever yearning and learning more and more - are privileged indeed to receive deeper and higher revelations of Truth. All are invited yet few take Him up on this. The busyness of life, the cares of this perishing world, the demands of a job, a home, a family, sadly, even the lack of desire, keeps us from closer intimacy with the God of all creation. Somewhere along the way we have gotten our priorities flipped and we find ourselves flopping all about like a fish out of water. We easily spin out of control when our sights are not centered on the Master. He is to be our gaze, our fixed focus. The writer of Hebrews tells us this:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)
“No one has ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.” H. A. Ironside
Kindly, Jesus ever woos us to go further still with Him. His constant command towards us is “Come”. Like a mother who is teaching her young one to walk, He sweetly holds His hands out bidding us towards Him. He knows He is the answer to all our questions. He knows He is the only One who can truly satisfy our souls – true peace cannot exist in a heart void of Christ. Neither can it exist in a divided heart between the love of the world and the love of the Master. There is no room left in a heart that is filled with anxiety, anger, hate, bitterness, greed, distrust and selfishness. On the other hand, when one is filled with the Living Water, there is no room in the inn for that sort of nonsense. Ah yes, the sufficiency of Christ. Of Psalm 23 Chris Tiegreen writes:
“David’s psalm was a statement of perspective. He understood from his youth as a shepherd that My shepherding changes the way a person sees. He no longer focused on what he lacked, questioned his path, feared death, obsessed about getting the upper hand over his enemies, failed to notice blessings, or planned only for the short term. He knew Me as Provider, Guide, Comfort and Strength, Victor, generous Giver, and eternal Lord. That’s why he began his song with a statement of not living in want. He knew that in Me, he had all he needed.” Chris Tiegreen
But we have work to do. We have errands to run. We are too busy now. And we find ourselves flat out missing the angelic visit. I wonder if Magdalene and the other Mary had work to do. I wonder if chores lay unfinished on their floors. I wonder if dishes were stacked in their sinks. Somehow I think they chose higher and were therefore abundantly rewarded for it. Funny how we go from minutes, to days, to weeks, to months, to years, continuously soft pedaling our faith – compartmentalizing it, making it a Sunday matter only - one that we can barely squeeze into our all-important schedules. Surely, this is why we often remain babes on milk in lieu of gobbling steak.
“Your only hope for joy, your only hope for peace, your only hope for comfort, your only hope for strength and your only hope for love in this life — is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. Your only hope in this life is found in the brutal, bloody, humiliation of a naked man on a wooden post. My hope is that you go out of this building clinging to the cross of Christ.” David Platt
These ladies in our verses for today had their priorities straight and they were blessed by their choice. They were hand-picked to be the first to hear and given consolation of Jesus’ resurrection - and by an angelic visitation at that! The angel’s first words to them of “Do not be afraid” demonstrate he came in kindness to encourage. He did not come to frighten or terrorize. He knew they were looking for Jesus. Those who seek Jesus have no need to be fearful. The angel assures them of Christ’s resurrection, encouraging them to go and examine the empty tomb and reminds them this was just as our Lord had said. He gave sight to their faith. This was enough to silence their fears. Also, as recompense for their constant affection towards Jesus, these ladies were sent as our Lord’s first missionaries. They were told to go in haste as good news is meant to be shared!
The angel ends with the words “Now I have told you” indicating his mission was accomplished and now placed in the hands of those who would proclaim it to the world. He had done his errand and faithfully delivered the message. Now it was their turn. Now it is ours.