Daily Devotional - Growing In Grace - Week 15 - Day 95 - 4/5/26 - "He's Not Here"

Author: Evangelist Lisa Dalton

“He's Not Here”
Scripture: Matthew 28:5–7

“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. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

Devotion:
Have you ever gotten a phone call and the first thing the person said was, “Don’t be afraid?” That’s usually a sure sign that you are going to be afraid. Anytime a sentence starts with what not to do, it often means something unexpected or unsettling is happening.

In our lesson today, two women arrive at the tomb looking for Jesus. Before they even reach the place where His body had been laid, an angel meets them with the message, “Fear not.” I’m sure they wondered why the angel would say that. But here’s how I want us to look at this moment:

Before the angel gives instructions, before he announces the miracle, he speaks to their fear.
God always deals with our fear before He deals with our future.

The women came trembling, grieving, and confused. Heaven’s first message to them was peace.

God sees the heart that seeks Him.
He recognizes the ones who show up—even in sorrow, even in uncertainty, even when they don’t understand.

The women didn’t come expecting a resurrection.
They came because they loved Him.
And God honored that.

The angel then declares the greatest truth in history:

The tomb is empty.
Death is defeated.
Jesus kept His word— “as He said.”

He invites them to see the empty place where Jesus once lay. Faith is strengthened when we remember what God has already done.

And when we tell of the goodness of Jesus, that same excitement and assurance we feel can influence someone else to grab hold of that same faith. Scripture reminds us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

The angel tells them to go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is on His way to Galilee. That message was a comfort to the disciples, who were grieving deeply. Jesus always meets us on the other side of pain.

Consider this:

• Jesus is already ahead of you.
• Ahead of your next step.
• Ahead of your next season.
• Ahead of every unknown.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the empty tomb and the hope it brings. Calm my fears and strengthen my faith. Help me to seek You with a sincere heart, even when I don’t understand what You’re doing. Give me the courage to carry the message of Your resurrection with joy and boldness. And thank You for going before me into every place You call me to.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.