The Joy of the Resurrection: A Call to Witness
"Behold the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." - Matthew 28:5-6

Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV) states, “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”
In the celebration of Easter, we are often captivated by the climactic moment of Christ’s resurrection—an event that is beyond the grasp of human understanding, yet profoundly significant to our faith. These verses mark a pivotal turning point: the moment of transformation from despair to hope, from death to life. The angel announces to the women who came to the tomb seeking the body of Jesus, “Fear not ye.” What solace and reassurance lie in these words! In a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty, we are reminded that our faith can shed light in the darkest of circumstances.
The call not to fear is echoed throughout Scripture, reminding us that God’s presence is the antidote to our fears. At this moment, the women are invited to witness the reality of the resurrection—"Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” This act of witnessing is an invitation not just to see with the physical eyes but to perceive with the heart the truth of the resurrection. The stone is rolled away, and the tomb is empty—a powerful reminder that death does not have the final word.
As we reflect on this scene, it invites us to consider how often we seek Jesus in places where He is no longer found. In our lives, we too can be caught in moments where we look for hope in our circumstances, be it in our jobs, relationships, or other worldly pursuits, forgetting that the fullness of life resides in the resurrected Christ. The empty tomb signals that our search must turn away from the grave of despair towards the living hope offered in Jesus.
The angel’s proclamation—“He is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee”—is not merely an announcement; it is a summons. It compels us to act, to communicate the good news of the Gospel with urgency. “Go quickly, and tell his disciples.” The resurrection isn’t a private revelation; rather, it is an act of divine grace meant to be shared. We are tasked with the great commission to spread this good news, a reminder that as followers of Christ, we aren’t simply receivers of grace, but active participants in God's redemptive plan.
How fitting it is that the very first witnesses to the resurrection were women—those often marginalized in society. God’s act of choosing them to carry this monumental message affirms the value and dignity of all, particularly those overlooked or oppressed. God’s message tears down the barriers of gender, class, and status, inviting all to partake in witness and testimony.
As we are called to go and tell, let us reflect on the ways we can share the hope of Jesus with others in our lives. Who can we share this truth with? Who among our friends, family, or community is seeking hope? The command is simple, yet profound:
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Matthew 28:5-6 Artwork
Matthew 28:5-6 - "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6
Matthew 6:5
Matthew 28:6 - "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
Matthew 6:28 - "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:"
Matthew 28:5 - "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified."
Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:28 - "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." - Matthew 28:6
Matthew 5:27-28 - "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." - Matthew 28:6
Matthew 6:28-29 - "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
matthew 28:19
matthew 28:19
MATTHEW 28: 23
Matthew 23:28
matthew 8:28
Matthew 28:11
Matthew 23:28
"¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." - Matthew 6:5
"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." - Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:19-20
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." - Matthew 5:6
Matthew 6:6
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 28: 19-20
Matthew 28:19-20
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:" - Matthew 6:28