9And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
OK, so the women are running to the disciples with fear and great joy. I can just imagine the great excitement. But I would also understand the fear as there is so much unknown. But isn’t that just like Jesus to know their hearts, to come to the ones who had so much faith in Him, and calm their fears!
Jesus appeared to them when they least expected it. I can just imagine them running down a wooded path, or running around the corner of a building, and being brought up short by the unexpected sight of Jesus. I can just hear Jesus’ desire to rejoice with those who are so excited about His resurrection.
But note His calming words of “Do not be afraid”. I had thought He was saying this so they would not be afraid of Him. But because they already came to Him and held Him and worshiped Him before He said to not be afraid, I don’t think He was meaning a fear of Him. Instead I wonder if He was simply calming their fear of the unknown, of what would happen next, or how their words would be received from those they talked to. He shared their joy with them and He gave them the encouragement they would need to carry out their task.
They were to tell His brethren to meet Him in Galilee. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The sheep were being gathered together again!