“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)

As believers, we thrill to worship our risen Savior on Easter Sunday. And then, it is quickly back to “normal.” But when I really meditate on Easter, I realize that this is when I should be celebrating New Year’s, because Christ’s resurrection is what makes our new creations essential, our eternal lives possible, our place in the Kingdom of God real.

One of the reasons we do not experience the Kingdom of God as fully as we could or should is fear. Let’s face it, fear is the most frequent problem experienced by humanity, according to Rick Warren in his April Daily Hope Devotions, and because of that it is a common theme in the Bible. Rare indeed is the person who is not afraid of something, whether it is real or imagined. When I was young, I was deathly afraid of quicksand. (I know that is just weird; I attribute it to watching Westerns with my dad.) I was also a little afraid of my dad because he was the “enforcer” at our house. Mom always warned us to “just wait until your Daddy gets home.” I loved him, and I did not want to disappoint him. Now, one of my fears is disappointing others, and along with that a fear that they will not approve of me. Those are two different fears, by the way: the first one is more about my concern for others, and the other is more about my concern for myself.

“Do not be afraid” is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. Speaking of Easter, when the women went to the tomb on Sunday morning and found the tomb empty, the angel told them, “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.” (Matthew 28:5-6). And then when the women left to tell his disciples, Jesus himself appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go through Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10).

Why were the women warned repeatedly about their fear? He who knows everything knew that they were afraid. But of what?

1. They perhaps had been afraid that Jesus was not the Messiah after all.

But now, they had no reason to doubt or fear because here is Jesus, the resurrected Christ. “(Jesus) was declared with power to be the son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4). Jesus is the son of God, He resides in our hearts, and “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

• Perhaps they had been afraid that if Jesus were not Messiah after all, that he–and they–would not have that glorious eternal life in heaven he had promised; that this mean existence was all there was.

But now, they knew that his promises of eternal life were real, “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14). And we have this same promise. This life is not all there is, and we do not need to fear death. We can look forward to eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

• Perhaps they were afraid and grieving the loss of a beloved friend. They had spent three years getting to know him, and now his absence would leave a big hole in their lives.

But now, they knew that this beloved friend and Savior was restored to them. And we also know that Jesus loves us extravagantly and remains near to us. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Even when it seems like everyone is against us, we have his promise: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

• Perhaps they just did not know what to do next. When Jesus was alive, they were following his lead. With his death, they feared the loss of their leader and lack of direction. They did not know who to go to with their fears and needs.

But now, their leader had returned, and they trusted that he would continue to guide them. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

In this new year, let us resolve to live in the power of our risen Savior who has defeated the enemy once and for all. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2).

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

In Christ,

Judy