Fear Not - Matthew 28:5

Matthew the apostle wrote, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse five of his book, Matthew wrote how, “the angel answered … Fear not” where we read:

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not:

for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.

The verse reads, “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not:” Matthew began words, “and the angel answered” which means “and the messenger responded and began to speak” “and said unto the women” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the women who came to visit Jesus' grave”, “fear not” which means “do not be put to flight, afraid, seized or alarmed”. Matthew shared how the Lord's “angel” began to speak to the “women” and encouraged them not to “be afraid”.

The verse continues, “for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.” Matthew added the words, “for I know” or “because the angel perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered” “that you seek Jesus” which means “that the women were looking for and in search of Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”, “which was crucified” or “who was palisade, driven down with stakes and hung on a cross to die”. Matthew shared how the “angel” knew the women were looking for “Jesus” who was “hung on a cross” and died.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “angel” was aware of the venture of these “women”. They were looking for Jesus, and although they knew He died upon the cross, they wanted to provide tribute and honor to Him. God sent His “messenger” to these “women” to give them words of comfort, and in the same manner God cared for them, He cares for all people and their concerns. God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they face trials, difficulties and sufferings, He is not only aware of them, but He also sent Jesus so He could be present with them in those times.

Next time Matthew shares how the angel says, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".