All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples.
Matthew 28:18,19 NASB
They had seen the empty tomb and had run to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive. It was too good to be true, and they understood the disciples’ doubts. Or perhaps not. In any case, it was all so hazy and surreal; their emotions were all over the place.
The women who had followed Jesus had been given the unique privilege of being eyewitnesses to the glory of God at the entrance of the empty tomb. Thirty-three years before, humble shepherds had also been given the unique privilege of seeing and hearing the wonderful news and music announcing Jesus’ birth. Women and shepherds – not really considered first-class human beings at that time. But they went and shared anyway with anyone who would listen.
Now these women, following the Lord’s command, made their way to Galilee (Matthew 28:10) to meet many other believers and then the resurrected Jesus Himself. The hills were peaceful, and the walk, unforgettable. Then, as the followers were together, Jesus appeared.
“I have received all the power and all the authority in heaven and on Earth. Go, therefore.” As I walked among those hills once, I wondered how the disciples - men and women – felt when they heard the authoritative words and command of Christ. I tried to imagine being there, listening to His words myself. Every time I read this story, these memories come back to me.
Jesus’ power and authority always work out things in my life in such a way that I can, without fear, go and tell the story of what He has done and is doing for me. Big things. Small things. But all of them are important things because Jesus is a part of that story.
I admire those women who followed and obeyed Jesus. And I admire the shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem. Society may have looked down on them, but they went out and told their story anyway. Some of us may sometimes think that we’re not good enough, we’re not educated enough, or we’re not strong enough emotionally to go and make a difference. What if, when in doubt and fear, we remembered the women and the shepherds?
It works for me, along with the words of Jesus on that serene hill in Galilee: “All power and authority are Mine, dear daughter. Go, therefore, share your story and be a blessing today.”
Covered and Carried, Copyright ©2021 Pacific Press Publishing Association
Lorena Finis Mayer is a translator and writer who works as an international civil servant for a specialized agency of the United Nations. She lives in Bern, Switzerland.