Easter - Jesus Rises Again

Goes along with Kids Devotion of the same title.

You do not have to be afraid, because Jesus rose from the dead!

Read Matthew 28:1-10.

Bible Focus: “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.’” -Matthew 28:5-6a

What do you picture when you think of an angel? In popular culture, angels are cute, with wings and halos and white dresses. In the Bible, however, angels must be pretty scary; every time they appear, they start out by saying “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid.”

In this case, “Do not be afraid” was more than a statement that they came in peace. It was a declaration of the Gospel! The women at the tomb didn’t have to be afraid anymore, because Jesus had risen. 

The women, and all of Jesus’s disciples, had plenty to be afraid of on Easter morning. Their Lord and Teacher had died. They put their faith in him, and now, they had lost all hope. They themselves were in danger; it only seemed logical that the chief priests would come after Jesus’s followers next, now that he was out of the way. 

After the women heard the angel’s message, they departed with “fear and great joy.” Their fear wasn’t all gone, not yet. Even as they met the risen Jesus on their way, he still had to tell them, “Do not be afraid.” The Good News had not sunk in. His resurrection was still a shock and a mystery to them.

Has the angel’s Gospel message sunk in for you? Do you understand what it means for you that Jesus rose from the dead? It’s the best news in the history of good news. It means that you’re forgiven. It means that you’re loved. It means that you’re a child of God, perfect in his eyes because of what Jesus did for you. You can set all of your doubts, anxieties, and troubles against the truth of Jesus’s resurrection, and Jesus’s resurrection will win, every time. You do not have to be afraid!

Your Easter challenge:

Write down one of your fears. In thick black marker, write the words “Do not be afraid” over your fear.

Please pray:

Dear Jesus, Risen Lord, I praise you for being the Savior of the world! I confess that I sometimes forget to set the truth of your resurrection against my earthly troubles. Thank you for always reassuring me of my salvation through you. I ask that you would help me remember that I don’t have to be afraid. In your name I pray, Amen.