Easter Message

Icon from the 12th century at Christian Art website

The upcoming Sunday message is on Matthew 28:1-10;

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then 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."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

What strikes you about this passage?
What do you hear?
What do you feel?
What do you make of the women being the first witnesses to the resurrection? What do you think is going on that not only are they told by the Angel, "don't be afraid to go quickly and tell his disciples," but they are told by Jesus the same thing?
How would you have handled all the drama surrounding the resurrection; the violent earthquake, the angel, the rolling away of the stone, and then meeting Jesus?

I came across this at Beliefnet.com; "Nine Ways to Live the Resurrection" by Theresa Borchard.