Instant Obedience

Instant Obedience

Women At The Tomb

Read: Matthew 28:8-10

“One, two, . . .” Why do we have to go through this same routine every night? Dana wondered. Her four-year-old daughter knew the rules. “. . . three, four, five, . . .” Ten minutes before bedtime, Stacey was supposed to put away her toys. “. . . six, seven, . . .” If she didn’t do it, she got a warning. “. . . eight, nine, . . .” After the second warning, Stacey had until a count of ten to finish her chore, or she would forfeit The Wiggles and Dora the next day. “. . . ten!” Stacey slowly rolled off the couch and began picking up tiny Barbie shoes.

The women who went to Jesus’ tomb give us a beautiful picture of obedience and its rewards. The angel’s appearance and words bewildered them, and they didn’t yet understand the full implications of the empty tomb. But when the angel told them to take the news to Jesus’ disciples, they immediately ran, rather than walked, to follow his instructions. On the way, the women had an even greater surprise when Jesus suddenly greeted them. If the empty tomb had filled them with joy, how wild their emotions must have been at this unexpected meeting with their beloved Master.

Most of us can be slow at times in following God’s commands. When we discover a new truth in his Word, we may spend time thinking it over instead of immediately applying it to our lives. If his Spirit urges us to do something, we can come up with lots of excuses to put it off or avoid it. True obedience is doing something when we’re told to do it, no matter how fearful, confused, or tired we are. Just as the women’s obedience was rewarded with unspeakable joy, God rewards us when we obey him. And he doesn’t want to have to count to ten.

I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.

Psalm 119:60