Moment of Meditation: Be Not Afraid (Matthew 28:9-10)

''And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and 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, and there they will see me" (Matthew 28:9-10).''

As most of the angelic visions in the Bible begins, Jesus' first message to the women running back to Jerusalem is, "Do not be afraid." With Jesus' resurrection, there is no more need to fear anything. As Jesus Himself said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Hell" (Matthew 10:28).

With Jesus' resurrection, the women have nothing to fear. The religious leaders can only kill them. They cannot take away their salvation. They cannot take away their faith in Jesus. So Jesus tells the women to boldly continue their joyful running. But to deliver a message to the Apostles: "Meet me in Galilee."

Be not afraid. Christ is risen! He is not dead! Even beheadings and crucifixions by ISIS cannot take away your faith or your salvation from you. You will overcome everything through Christ. Amen.