Do not be Afraid
Proclaiming the Risen Christ in the Face of Resistance
“Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” (Matthew 28:9–10, NRSV)
It’s still Easter. And the world is still reeling from resurrection.
The women who came to the tomb early in the morning have just had their entire worldview flipped upside down. Grief has given way to awe, confusion to joy. Jesus is alive. The one who was crucified and laid in a tomb now stands before them—living, breathing, greeting them with peace. And the first thing he says? “Do not be afraid.”
That might sound strange at first—why fear, when the best news imaginable has just broken through the darkness? But fear makes sense. Resurrection is not just a comfort—it’s a disruption. It means that everything we thought was final can be undone. It means the powers of death and violence and empire do not get the last word. And that can be terrifying, especially for those who have grown comfortable with the world as it is.
We see this tension play out in today’s Gospel. While the women run to tell the disciples the good news, another group runs to the authorities to contain it. The guards—witnesses to the same resurrection event—report to the chief priests, who quickly orchestrate a cover-up. Money is exchanged. A false narrative is spread. “Tell people,” they say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.”
It’s sobering to realize that even the resurrection, the ultimate sign of God’s triumph, is met not only with faith and joy but with fear, denial, and propaganda.
But here's the hope: the truth is already out.
No amount of bribery or spin can put Jesus back in the tomb. The Risen Christ has already greeted Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. They have already worshiped him, touched his feet, heard his voice. The living Jesus cannot be silenced.
This Easter Monday, we are invited to live like those women—carrying the news of resurrection with urgency, joy, and courage. We will face resistance. There will always be those who prefer the comfort of a sealed tomb to the discomfort of a living, calling, commissioning Savior. But we are resurrection people. We have seen the Lord.
So do not be afraid. Tell the story. Live the good news. Christ is risen—and that changes everything.
Alleluia. Amen.
