After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 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. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.' Matthew 28:1-7 NIV
Even when Jesus rose from the dead, God wanted "His" followers to know HE was going ahead of them. Jesus had died. Some had left all to follow Him. Many were confused and grief stricken. Their direction is to go to Galilee, there you will see him. Instead we know their first reaction was to run to the tomb; just as Thomas had to touch His wounds to "know" it was Jesus standing there. We are numb today to the revelation knowledge of God's power dwelling in us by faith in Jesus Christ. We have gotten away from the realization of the Lord's words to us. Just as He went up to Heaven and the deciples did see Him rise; they also heard and recorded for us, Jesus said He would come again. He also said He would prepare a place for us but how many are excited to go? How many long to be with Jesus as His deciples did that day? The angel told the women, "don't be afraid, and Jesus said for us not to be afraid, that as He left He would go and prepare a place for us and if it were not so He would have told us. Jesus Christ has always reassured His followers and still does today. Jesus Christ always has said for us not to live in fear and dread. Jesus Christ was willing to descend into hell after being crucified and buried and He was willing to die on the cross to shed His blood for our sins. This is no time for fear. This is no time for dread. Easter Sunday is another time to remind ourselves of our comforter Jesus who each step of His life on earth He tells us; I am going ahead of you, I am going to return, do not be afraid, do not fret and do not let your hearts be troubled. JESUS CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THIS WORLD. Easter Sunday is another reminder He will never leave us, or forsake us. Until the day He comes, Jesus will be seated at the right hand of the father interceding for us and waiting for "our" father to tell Him to come get us and take us home. It could be any day,, and Jesus told His deciples where I go you can not go, and Jesus tried so many times to explain to them and they could not understand until after He was gone. Jesus went before us up to Heaven too and He is now preparing a place where we can be with Him, so one thing is very very clear to us who understand...we are to know Jesus has gone ahead of us in every aspect of our lives, and would never leave us in a dark tomb.