JESUS MET THEM / MATTHEW 28:9

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:9

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

The Certainty of the Risen King: Reflecting on Matthew 28:9

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a beautifully crafted myth or a metaphor for spring; it is an unshakeable, foundational reality of history. For forty days after His victory over the grave, Christ walked the earth, appearing to His closest friends and hundreds of others to establish what the Bible calls “many infallible proofs.”

Among these powerful encounters, one brief moment shines with incredible tenderness: Jesus meeting the women returning from the tomb.

“And 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.” — Matthew 28:9

Joy in the Midst of Obedience

The women were rushing to share the angel’s news with the mourning disciples when Jesus interrupted their journey. Notice that Jesus met them as they went. In their willingness to obey and carry the message, they were met by the Message Himself.

When Jesus stood before them, His first words were not complicated or filled with structural theological lecturing. In the original language, His greeting literally meant “Rejoice!” or “All hail!” It was an invitation to swap their heavy grief for an overflowing, radical joy.

The Response of True Faith

Faced with the undeniable reality of the living Christ, the women didn’t analyze the moment from a safe distance. Their immediate reaction gives us a timeless blueprint for how we should respond to the Risen Lord:

They drew near: They ran directly to Him, breaking through the barriers of fear.
They held His feet: This physical act verified the concrete reality of His body. He wasn’t a ghost or a figment of their imagination; He was flesh, bone, and gloriously alive.
They worshiped Him: Recognizing His divine authority, they fell to their knees. Humble worship is the only logical response when you encounter the living Savior.

A History Built on Eye-Witness Ground

This intimate moment was just the beginning of a forty-day period where Jesus solidified the reality of His resurrection to change the world forever. The historical reliability of the gospel rests on a massive cloud of witnesses who saw, touched, and ate with Him. His documented post-resurrection appearances include:

Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
The women returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10)
Peter (Luke 24:34)
Two travelers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
The disciples in the locked room (minus Thomas) (Luke 24:36-43)
All the disciples one week later (including Thomas) (John 20:26-31)
Seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25)
Five hundred people at once in Galilee (1 Corinthians 15:6)
James, the half-brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7)
The disciples receiving the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
Those who watched Him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:3-11)
The Apostle Paul, a former persecutor turned pioneer missionary (1 Corinthians 15:8)

Meeting Jesus Today

Just as He met the women on the dirt road, Jesus still meets us in the middle of our ordinary lives, our doubts, and our duties. Because the tomb is empty, we don’t serve a dead historical figure—we serve a living Savior who promises to be with us “always, even to the end of the age.” When life causes you to tremble, remember His words to the women: “Do not be afraid.” Drop to your knees, take hold of His promises, and rejoice!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You for the glorious reality of the resurrection. Thank You that our faith is built on the solid, historical truth of the empty tomb and the living Christ. Lord Jesus, just as You met the women on the road, we ask that You meet us afresh today. Forgive us for the times we let fear paralyze us. Help us to drop at Your feet in absolute surrender and worship. Fill our hearts with the radical joy of Your resurrection, and give us the courage to go and tell others that You are alive. We cast away fear and choose to rejoice in Your victory over death. In Your holy and mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace