He Has Risen!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know 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. Matthew 28: 5-9

This passage of scripture fills my heart with joy! Imagine being with the women who were the first to arrive at Jesus' tomb, find it empty, be informed that he had risen from the dead, and then meet Jesus face to face after leaving the empty tomb. In the culture at that time, women were often considered second-class citizens, but Jesus never thought of women in that way. He valued women and welcomed their presence as they followed him. Women were the first to appear at the empty tomb and the first to see him after his resurrection.

Many women today struggle with low self-worth. We battle a variety of fears and insecurities. At times we may even feel like second-class citizens, but Jesus loves us. He cares for us and values us. He is right there with us through all of our insecurities and fears. He has risen! If we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior, we can rejoice that death was defeated on the cross and we have eternal life through him.

As we celebrate Easter today, I pray we will rejoice along with the women who found the tomb empty, and that we too would grasp the feet of Jesus and worship him.