Matthew 28:8-10 8And after departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to proclaim to his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them saying, “Greetings!” And after coming up, they took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers in order that they might go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The two women must have had a mix of emotions. Matthew records that they had fear and great joy. Their fear was different than the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb. Their fear was in awe of what they had just witnessed, but nevertheless was still fear. No one who stands in the presence of God cannot not have the fear of God within them. The only response anyone should have to this supreme miracle of miracles is a deep sense of God’s power and presence. The women were also filled with great joy. Their worries, doubts, and bad fears had been replaced with excitement and anticipation. The angel’s directions sent them on a new journey, not only to tell the other disciples to meet Jesus, but no doubt, they would also make the journey and meet him in Galilee. Death had been defeated and new life had come. Little did they realize how the new life of Jesus would bring them new life for time and eternity.
The women were even more surprised when they met Jesus on the way. Matthew gives few details but focuses more on the encounter and the simple message Jesus gave. His greetings is the typical way people greeted one another with the Greek word mean “rejoice,” “be glad” ( chairete). The Aramaic original may have been something like “peace” (shalom). Even this one word began the restoration process, demonstrated by how the women responded. Their position of falling down before Jesus was one of great reverence and awe. Touching his feet proves that he was physical and not a ghost or vision.
This encounter is the answer to the fear factor the women still had. They now saw that Jesus was more than just a human. The power and presence of God the Son was before them, and the only response they could give was worship. Jesus’ next words further inspire the great joy and diminish the fear factor. Do not be afraid are the calming words of the good news of Jesus’ presence. Jesus sends the women forth to tell this good news to his brothers, referring to his disciples. Although the word is masculine, when “brothers” is mentioned in the New Testament, it is usually inclusive of all believers. The focus here may be on the remaining eleven apostles who would become the leaders of all the disciples. The disciples were to make the long journey back to their home area where Jesus spent most of his ministry time. They would have to make this journey by faith, not knowing where they would encounter Jesus. The presence of Jesus would also turn their fears into such a joy and confidence that they would risk their lives in the coming months and years in order to proclaim the good news of this resurrection.
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