He Is Risen, Go Quickly!

Scripture(s):  Matthew 28:1-7

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first {day} of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him 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 has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."

Commentary:
Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb of Jesus expecting to find his body. However, to their surprise, an Angel of the Lord met them and guided them to the place were Jesus had lain. The Angel informed them that Jesus had risen from the dead, and for them to go and tell His disciples; and that He would meet them in Galilee. The Angel also told them  that Jesus had already went ahead, and would meet them there. The two women were the first women to preach about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, directly to His disciples. God used their voices to proclaim that He had risen from the dead; and that He indeed was alive, as He said that He would be.

The Angel told them to go quickly. Time was of the essence, because those that opposed Jesus would soon hear about His resurrection, and make up a story that the disciples had come in the night and stole His body. The soilders that were at the tomb, were paid to hold to this lie, that was created by those in authority. Those that were in high places did not want anyone to know what had really happened, so they covered up the truth, with a bogus story designed to protect their position of authority.

Reflection:
When God says for us to do something, it is for us to do it now; not wait until we feel like it, or wait until it fits into our schedule. There is a purpose for the timing of God. Everything is designed to take place on a given date, at a given time. When we fail to act on what God is giving us to do in the moment, we miss a moment that can possibly never be regained again. Why take the chance? Maybe the moment in time will resurface once again, but we should not take the timing of God lightly. Therefore, when He says for us to do something, we should do it in the moment. His timing is perfect timing. We cannot figure out the mind of God. He always knows what's best. Therefore the next time He says to do something, do it quickly!

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Go: 4198
1) to lead over, carry over, transfer
a) to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey
b) to depart from life
c) to follow one, that is: become his adherent
1) to lead or order one's life

Quickly: 5035
1) quickly, speedily (without delay)

Tell: 3004
1) to say, to speak
a) affirm over, maintain
b) to teach
c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct
d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say
e) to call by name, to call, name
f) to speak out, speak of, mention

His disciples: 3101
1) a learner, pupil, disciple

that He has risen: 1453
1) to arouse, cause to rise
a) to arouse from sleep, to awake
b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life
c) to cause to rise from a seat or bed etc.
d) to raise up, produce, cause to appear
1) to cause to appear, bring before the public
2) to raise up, stir up, against one
3) to raise up i.e. cause to be born
4) of buildings, to raise up, construct, erect

from the dead: 3498
1) properly

a) one that has breathed his last, lifeless
b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell
c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate
2) metaph.
a) spiritually dead
1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
2) inactive as respects doing right
b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative

He is going ahead: 4254
1) to lead forward, lead forth

a) one from a place in which he has lain hidden from view, as from a prison
b) in a forensic sense, to bring one forth to trial
2) to go before
a) preceding, prior in time, previous
b) to proceed, go forward
1) in a bad sense, to go further than is right. or proper

of you into Galilee: 1056
Galilee = "Circuit"

you will see: 3708
1) to see with the eyes

2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know
3) to see, i.e. become acquainted with by experience, to experience
4) to see, to look to
a) to take heed, beware
b) to care for, pay heed to
5) I was seen, showed myself, appeared

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of Matthew 28 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 17 Feb 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=28&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2010). He Is Risen, Go Quickly! Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com