As I read over this Easter narrative again this morning, what jumps out to me is the fear that is mentioned in this passage. Alright, I can understand the fainting fear of the guards, and even the initial fear of the women – after all, any time anyone is in contact with an angel the initial response is fear. But even after the angel told them Jesus was risen, they were still afraid.
And when they are at the feet of Jesus, He again tells them “Do not be afraid.” Maybe their fear was because they knew their unbelief. They had heard His prediction that He would rise again, and there they were at the tomb, not expecting to meet their resurrected Lord, but to see the tomb, what they thought was the final resting place for Jesus. Whatever their fear was, Jesus says “Do not be afraid.”
He says these words to us as well; “Do not be afraid, I have conquered sin, death, and the grave. There is no longer anything that can overcome you. The end is not the end!”
Christ is risen, Alleluia!