May 11th, 20

MAY 11,  Don’t be Afraid.

Today’s readings are II Samuel 19 - 20, Psalm 55 and Matthew 28.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

Don’t be afraid.  Go and tell.  And be sure of this.

Those were the things that were told to the disciples after Jesus was risen from the dead.

Don’t be afraid.  Those were the first words that they heard as they approached the empty tomb.  There are a lot of uncertainties, questions, and things to be afraid of when you’re approaching an empty tomb.  So the first words they hear are ‘Don’t be afraid’.

Don’t be afraid when your facing emptiness and unanswered questions.  Hear the messenger of God today, telling you, Don’t be afraid.  The unanswered questions in your life and future need not cause you to fear.  

See what David saw when he wrote,

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life. (Ps 23:6 NLT)

See what Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph, saw.  They saw the risen Lord.  The resurrection says, You need not be afraid. When they see Jesus, he tells them, 

Don’t be afraid. (Mk 16) And then he tells them, Now, go tell your brothers.  Go and tell them they need not be afraid either.  Tell them I’m alive.  Tell them that the journey is not over.  Tell them that the story of God’s love continues on. Tell them that God’s not finished with us yet.  Tell them that there’s more to come - hope for tomorrow.  Tell them I’m redeeming their past and I am alive. Go tell them.

When he meets all of us he says,  

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20 NLT)

That’s why we come to the Word every day. It’s a practice of being sure.  We come to hear from Him, amidst life’s uncertainties.  We come to be reminded to go and tell the world that there is hope and life in Him. The story’s not over.  The tomb is empty.  He is risen.  Don’t be afraid. Go and tell.  And we can be sure of this, that He is with us.  

You are loved!