Thought of the Day !!

So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:8

The women had come to the tomb to anoint a dead body because they had lost all hope. But at least these women made it this far. The men had all abandoned Jesus at Gethsemane.

But now it's their turn. They see a man dressed in white. White is the heavenly color. Matthew calls this man that they meet an angel, and that's probably what Mark is getting at as well. So they are afraid. The one that they called Messiah is dead. His body is no longer there. This man (who may not be a man) is standing there telling them that Jesus is no longer there. Absolute truths, like once your dead, your dead, are not so absolute anymore. And these women and confused and out and out afraid.

The man/angel makes a futile attempt to calm them down and then gives them some instructions. Bring this good news about Jesus to the disciples (and don't forget Peter). But what happened? They were so afraid that they fled the tomb and said nothing to anyone. What a shame.

What would you do if you were in their sandals? Oh wait...you are! We are! We are standing on the edge of the empty tomb! We've been given the good news! We've been told to share it with others! What will we do? Will we be afraid like the women? Will we be afraid of how we might look or what people will say? Are we afraid because we don't have the right words to say (even though God will provide if we make an effort)? Are we afraid that it might change our lives?

Are you afraid to share the Gospel (the Good News)? Or are you willing to do something radical for Jesus like talking him up to others wherever you go?

In the love of Christ,
greg