The Same Message
Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” John 20:13
As I read today’s passage, I wondered what message I was going to be able to share about the angel at the tomb of Jesus. I thought about how the birth of Jesus started out with a message from an angel and now the end of His life involved angels too. But what is the personal application?
Then I considered the message that the angel gave the Mary’s the morning of Jesus’ resurrection. What was this message, and can it apply to us today? In Matthew 28:5-7 it says: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
Sure enough, I went through the things the angel told them and found that it is the very message that we are to be sharing with others today. As I list the things the angel said, consider how you can share this message with someone today?
First of all, he said: “Do not be afraid.” In today’s world, fear is everywhere, and with good reason. If you don’t know the Savior and know that He is working in the world, this place can be extremely scary. We can make this offering to those who do not know. “You don’t have to be afraid; this is all part of a plan.
Next the angel told the women that they were seeking Jesus who was crucified. Recently, the Lord showed me that everyone is searching and seeking for their Savior, they just don’t know it. Most people fill up that empty space they have inside with things or other people, but never achieve the fulfillment that only Jesus can give.
The angel told them to come, see the place where the Lord lay. After we have shared the message that you don’t have to be afraid and that Jesus is the answer to the void within, you invite them to come with you to church or small group to check it out so they can see the difference He has made in others.
That phase may go on for a while, but when surrender finally does happen, then it is time to share the message with others that are searching. The angel told them to go quickly and tell others He is risen and not dead. This is the hope of the world. We have a Savior, and He is alive and ready to rescue all who will call on Him.
The assurance of your heart is that He is going before you. God’s Spirit goes before you everyday to prepare the way for you to share the message of His love for the world. As you begin to trust Him more to guide your life and commit to following His lead, you will see Him at work in the circumstances around you. The angel said when you go, there you will see Him.
Today I want to encourage you to Not be afraid! Consider the message of the angel the day Jesus came out of the grave. Have you received this message in your life? If not, invite Him in today. Then surrender all your cares and concerns over to Him and you will see Him at work is everything around you. Share the message of the good news with others who are fearful and bring them with you as you come and see the difference He has made in the lives of those who have already been rescued.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: John 20:11-18
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
The Daily Dose 