Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
What strikes me in these words from the risen Jesus is the compassion. Verse 10 is His first risen utterance and verse 20 is His last in the book of Matthew. “Do not be afraid,” and “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Not only are these words comforting to the followers of Jesus then, but they are words of comfort to us now.
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
“Do not be afraid.” Jesus had been crucified, a painful, horrible death. Yet not even death could separate Him from His beloved. His first risen words are comfort to His people: “Do not be afraid.” Death will not separate Me from you. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20a “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….”
Lord, There is so much in this life that causes us fear, worry, anxiety. Help us to take Your words to heart. Not even death can separate You from Your people. Help us to live confidently in light of this fact, in light of Your words: “Do not be afraid…. surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:20b “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Have a blessed day.