“The effect of the Resurrection is vindication – He is the Son of God.”
Not only is Matthew’s story of the Resurrection (Matthew 28: 1–10) apt (given the time of year), but it’s also dramatic.
As Mary and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Christ, ‘there was a violent earthquake’ (28: 2) as an angel of the Lord moved the huge rolling stone at its entrance, whose ‘appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow’ (28: 3). Like I said, all very dramatic. But then it’s meant to be – so we not only believe, but we also spread the news of the greatest turning point in history: the Resurrection.
The whole episode serves as a wake-up call, both in a physical way, and in a spiritual sense. At the time, Jesus’ followers were sad, frightened, discouraged. The one man they believed in, their hope for a brighter future – Jesus – was dead. So imagine the ‘shock and awe’ at the beginning of this chapter – and I use that term deliberately. Because, just like an adversary, death has been defeated. Jesus is risen again. And in turn that lifts our spirits, for we know as followers of Christ, that death is not the end.
The Three Marys at the Tomb by Peter von Cornelius, via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
The angel reassured the women, both spiritually (‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus’ 28: 5) and physically (‘He is not here; he has risen’ – 28: 6), but he gave them a key command: ‘Go quickly and tell his disciples’ (28: 7). Given the morning’s histrionics is it any wonder that the women fled ‘afraid yet filled with joy’ (28: 8)? But still, the best was to come: ‘Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshipped him. Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (28: 9–10).
This is a message for us too: do not fear, but go and tell. As Christians, we are called to spread His message, and this Easter time it is more pertinent than ever. The effect of the Resurrection is vindication – He is the Son of God. It gives us hope – both in the future and in the glory of Heaven – so let us spread that joy!
