 | 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 has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. |
 | And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. |
Notice how the angel of the Lord bypasses the guards and speaks to women about the resurrection.
God chose to reveal His truth to a people group who, in that day, could not testify in a court of law. God's love challenges our paradigms in order to free us to be the children of God.
As the apostle Paul writes, there is neither male nor female in Christ. What was scandalous in the 1st Century becomes freeing for all of eternity.
The resurrection is an event that includes everybody! Happy Easter!
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC