Matthew 28:5-7 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.”

At the crucifixion, God showed his displeasure against sin. There was darkness over the land for three hours. It was as though he covered his face and in that time: “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Gospel of Matthew records other amazing events that took place on that day: the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook and the rock split, the tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  (Matthew 27:51-52). God was in the darkness of that hour displaying both his love and power at the same time.

But God was not finished. On the first day of the week, Mary and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. They went at dawn, darkness becoming light – I hope you have had a chance to watch the sun rise on a clear day – there is nothing like it! “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 is risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Then the angel instructed the women to go and tell the disciples. On their way, suddenly Jesus met them. Now they had proof! But Jesus could see that they were traumatized so he said “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Read Matthew 28).

God is still not finished. The power he displayed at the crucifixion and the resurrection will be displayed again when Christ returns at the end of the age. In the meantime, we have the proof of his love and he still says to us “Do not be afraid” and “Go and tell”.