NOTES for Mat 28:8-15

When the women heard the news of the Resurrection, they rejoiced—but they were also afraid. The word “fear” has many shades of meaning. Of course, what the myrrh-bearing women feel may be called holy awe. But Jesus, who sees their hearts, says, “Do not be afraid.” This means there was something in their fear that poisoned their joy. It seems to me that it was distrust, a very, very slight shade of distrust, which disappears when Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” Distrust is not unbelief; it is precisely uncertainty about what this situation means for me and how I should act within it. The myrrh-bearing women knew the most important thing: they had to go to the disciples and tell them. And they go, rejoicing. Yet something that hinders them still remains. For Jesus, apparently, it was very important that their joy should be truly complete, not darkened by fear. The most remarkable thing is how they are healed of fear. Nothing was required of the women. He simply said, “Do not be afraid,” and the fear departed and melted away.