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Lenten Devotions: Don’t Be Afraid

by | Apr 14, 2023 | Great Commission, Lenten Devotions, Witnessing

“The angel [at Jesus’ empty tomb] said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.’ So they … ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them … Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’”

(Matthew 28:5-8b, 9a, 10 ESV)

That first Easter morning, both Jesus and the angel give two simple commands to the women. They say, “Don’t be afraid.” And then they say, “Go and tell.”

“Don’t be afraid”—why not? Because Jesus has risen from the dead, and will never die again. Jesus is with you forever. Because you, too, will rise from the dead, for you belong to Jesus and nothing can take you out of His hands. God has triumphed, and the devil is defeated forever.

“Go and tell”—tell who? The disciples, those who learn from Jesus and follow Him with their whole hearts. “Tell My brothers,” Jesus says, because now everyone who believes in Him is a child of God, brother or sister to Jesus and dearly loved by Him. And eventually—tell the world; for Jesus is calling all of us, everyone who will listen.

We Pray: Be with me forever, Lord, and help me to tell others Your Good News. Amen.

Reflection Questions
:
* Why do you think the angel said “Don’t be afraid” to the women but not to the guards at the tomb who fainted?
* Who told you about Jesus?
* How does Jesus’ resurrection help you against fear?

This Easter Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on April 9, 2023
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights

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