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Easter: How the Risen Jesus Calms My Fears

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher)…That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:1-16, 19-22 NIV

Jesus calms my fears by…

Proving he is always in control

No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. John 10:18 NLT

Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events… Daniel 2:20-21 NLT

Promising victory over death

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25 NLT

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:1-3 NLT

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him… 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

Paying the price for my sins

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you… And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT

Pouring out his Holy Spirit

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment to breathe a deep breath, find a good comfy seat, and picture Jesus sitting next to you, ears open, ready to listen and have a conversation with you. Pay attention to how the thought of having Jesus next to you makes you feel. What kinds of emotions or thoughts does that bring up in you? Now, imagine that Jesus asks you a question similar to what he asks Mary when he says, “why are you crying?” Maybe, it looks more like, “what are you scared of and why does that scare you?” What do you honestly need to confess to Jesus that you are afraid of? When Mary responds to Jesus honestly about her concerns and sadness, Jesus simply calls her by name and instantly she recognizes him. She then goes on to run and tell the other disciples the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. Picture Jesus looking at you and saying your name. What is he asking you to recognize about him? Is it his power and control or perhaps his forgiveness? Spend some time talking with him about what he wants to bring to life in you. Then, like Mary, consider who you need to share this good news with this week.​

Discussion Questions

  1. Over the course of your time with “60 Days to a Better Me,” what was the most significant thing you learned about God or yourself throughout the experience? What specific stories are you excited about revisiting as you continue your adventure with the Bible?
  2. In what ways have celebrating and remembering the realities of Easter calmed your fears? If it hasn’t, why not?
  3. Read Daniel 2:20-21. When life feels out of control, what are some of the practical things you do to remind yourself that Jesus is always in control?
  4. Read John 14:1-3. In what ways does (or has) the reality of resurrection change the way you see death?
  5. In spite of this reality and our faith, why do you think death is still scary?
  6. Read 2 Timothy 1:7. When it comes to God’s power, love and self discipline, which do you need the most from him right now and why?