Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and
indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you."
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus
met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, 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; there they
will see me." (Matthew 28:7-10 NRSV)
The angel told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, "Go quickly and tell his disciples. 'He has
been raised from the dead.'" They would be the first ones to tell the good news--that Jesus is
alive!
As they where hurrying out of the cemetery, they ran into Jesus. "Greetings!" Jesus said to the
women. It was the happiest reunion anyone could ever imagine. Jesus told them, "Do not be
afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Notice that Jesus called
his disciples, "my brothers." This is the only place in Matthew's gospel where he called them
"brothers." Everywhere else he refers to them as "disciples."
This is especially remarkable when you remember that the disciples had deserted Jesus in his hour
of need. Peter had denied even knowing him. That was all in the past. The Master had work for
them to do. They were to tell the good news to all who would listen.
That is also want we are being called to do during this Advent/Christmas season.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the "good news" that comes to me and to all the
world through birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
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who have been blessed by God's Word. Since 6-1-96.
Sunday, December 7, 1997