Do Not Be Afraid

(No regular post today in honor of Good Friday.)


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.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped 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 28:1-10

Have a Happy Easter and I’ll see you on Monday.

.

Rachelle Gardner

Literary agent at Gardner Literary. Coffee & wine enthusiast (not at the same time) and dark chocolate connoisseur. I've worked in publishing since 1995 and I love talking about books!

31 Comments

  1. prashant on April 12, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    >Thanks for this. Happy Easter. It's a special day today.
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  2. Britt on April 5, 2010 at 1:57 PM

    >Thank you for this public proclamation of the Good News!



  3. Mariel on April 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM

    >Amen! I look forward to returning and reading you "usual insights".

    have a blessed Resurrection Day!



  4. Sarah Allen on April 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    >I appreciate this a lot. There is no great artist than God. Thank you for this.

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)



  5. Em-Musing on April 3, 2010 at 7:28 AM

    >Beautiful! Thank you



  6. M Clement Hall on April 3, 2010 at 7:00 AM

    >I have pleasant memories of breaking eggs at Easter in Greece. Easter is not in fact a "happy" time.
    On the subject of writing, I have a fondness for the King James Version in which the company of authors went to great trouble with the rhythm and flow of their words which has been lost in the various revisions. Prose should sound well when it is read, to be merely "correct" is not sufficient. "God's Secretaries" (Adam Nicolson)is worth reading.



  7. Ronda Laveen on April 3, 2010 at 1:35 AM

    >Blessed be.



  8. lynnrush on April 2, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    >Happy Easter!



  9. Brook on April 2, 2010 at 2:23 PM

    >What a fantastic post. Thank you.

    Kindest regards,
    Brook



  10. Lynnda - Passionate for the Glory of God on April 2, 2010 at 12:43 PM

    >Hallelujah, He is risen indeed!



  11. Darby on April 2, 2010 at 12:28 PM

    >Blessed Easter to all!



  12. Sandy Shin on April 2, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    >I love this passage. It always gives me joy. Happy Easter!



  13. Shelley Sly on April 2, 2010 at 11:49 AM

    >Beautiful. Thank you for posting this. Happy Easter!



  14. Joylene on April 2, 2010 at 11:42 AM

    >Have a safe and happy Easter, Rachelle. God Bless.



  15. Judith Engracia on April 2, 2010 at 10:38 AM

    >Happy Easter to you too! Hope you have a beautiful day with the family.



  16. patriciazell on April 2, 2010 at 10:24 AM

    >Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter!
    Christ's triumphant temporary death provided endless life for us all! What joy!



  17. Mira on April 2, 2010 at 9:14 AM

    >Rachelle, I just want to take a second to thank you again for yesterday's post – and for all of encouragement week. I truly appreciate your support.

    I hope you and everyone here has a lovely holiday today.



  18. K. Harrington on April 2, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    >Thank you for posting this! I am encouraged.



  19. Rachel on April 2, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    >Amen. Praise the Lord.



  20. Elena on April 2, 2010 at 7:42 AM

    >Thank you for reminding us with this post. Happy Easter to you and your family.



  21. Katy McKenna on April 2, 2010 at 7:33 AM

    >These words alone from the angel's mouth really spoke to me as I read this: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus." Even though I've been found by Him, I still look for Him in everyday circumstances, joys, and sorrows. I still need to be reminded not to be afraid.

    Bless you, Rachelle, and all who gather here! Happy Easter.



  22. Candyland on April 2, 2010 at 7:25 AM

    >Perfect post for today.



  23. Abby Stevens on April 2, 2010 at 7:25 AM

    >Happy Easter, Rachelle. 🙂



  24. Wendy @ All in a Day's Thought on April 2, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    >Happy Easter, Rachelle.

    ~ Wendy



  25. Matthew Rush on April 2, 2010 at 7:01 AM

    >Thanks for the post Rachelle, the greatest story ever told. Happy Easter!

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  26. Meghan Ward on April 2, 2010 at 6:16 AM

    >Happy Easter, Rachelle!



  27. Ann Marie Wraight on April 2, 2010 at 6:06 AM

    >I feel blessed to live in Greece where Easter is a HUGE celebration. Christmas pales in comparison in this beautiful country.

    This evening in every village, town and city throughout the land -every church lovingly prepares a coffin decorated with the most beautiful wreaths of flowers imaginable. The coffin respectfully represents the crucified Body of Christ and all the inhabitants of the local area will follow the procession of the 'EPITAPHIA' through the streets mourning the death of the Saviour.

    It's a very moving ceremony which has taken place inGreece for many centuries. It's beautiful.
    Spare a moment today just to think WHY we remember today.
    Have a Good Easter!



  28. Sharon A. Lavy on April 2, 2010 at 6:03 AM

    >And that is the reason for everything we do, say or think. At least when we don't forget.

    Why do we?

    And how thankful I am that we have this yearly reminder of what is important above all things. Where would we be without Him.

    And let us wait on His timing for everything important in our lives.

    Thank you Rachelle for another inspiring post.



  29. GalaktioNova on April 2, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    >Thank you!

    Happy Easter.



  30. Tina on April 2, 2010 at 4:52 AM

    >Thanks for this. Happy Easter. It's a special day today.

    (Just read Richard Mabry's story of how he found you. Inspiring!)

    The Clean White Page



  31. writer jim on April 2, 2010 at 3:04 AM

    >PRAISE GOD for ever and ever and ever and ever….

    There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." 1 Corinthians 8:6