And the angel answered and said unto the women.
Fears dispelled
Why should not the seekers of Jesus fear?
I. Because in seeking Him, they have an evidence that He has sought them, and found them, and touched their hearts.
II. They that seek Christ should rejoice; for in seeking they shall certainly find.
III. In finding Christ, they find everything suited to banish their fears. Christ has magnified the law. Sin taken away that troubles the conscience; death disarmed of his sting; the grave of its terrors; the dominion of Satan destroyed.
IV. Nothing shall finally separate them who have sought and found Christ (Romans 8:38-39). (H. Foster.)
An Easter thought for those who are seeking Jesus
Never had women more cause to fear than these helpless creatures, who came forth with trembling steps, but loving hearts, to the sepulchre of the crucified Christ. Most blessed then to them must have been the angel’s words, “Fear not.” They speak to us as much as to the women at the sepulchre, etc. Light streams forth upon us in this passage from three distinct sources.
I. From the persons addressed.
1. They were women, who from their sex were naturally timid, and had in themselves nothing to enable them to face a supernatural appearance, or any of the terrors of such a scene as we have here. The doctrine of inherent weakness.
2. From the emphatic word “Ye,” the most important instruction is to be derived. “Ye” are Jesus’ friends; no cause for fear have “ye.” Full of teaching to those, who, weak, frightened, sorrowful are seeking Jesus. Also to His true disciples, however weak, etc. They stand in the power of their relationship to Christ, and need desire no more.
II. From the work in which they were engaged. There was-
1. Loving personal search. They are blessed indeed who are thus seeking after Christ; like these women, they want to get to Himself.
2. Loving service.
3. Entire devotion to one rejected by the world. (P. B. Power, M. A.)
The women’s visit to the grave of Jesus
I. The gloomy approach. Characterized by visible grief, secret hope, timid faith.
II. The wonderful experience. The anticipated difficulty removed. The unexpected vision. The overpowering fear. The consoling exhortation.
III. The joyous return. Mingled emotions leading to rapid movement. The blessed meeting by the way. The salutation and commision. (E. W. Wilson.)
The women-friends of Jesus
1. Women, though weak, are capable of religious offices. No understanding so weak, but it may believe; no body so weak, but it may do something in some calling.
2. These women were early in their religious work, they began betimes.
3. As they were early and forward, so were they earnest and sedulous.
4. Upon what their devotion was carried; upon things which could not entirely be done; yet God accepted their devotion. Where the root and substance of the work is piety, God pretermits many times errors in circumstance. (John Donne.)