Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
In Matthew’s resurrection account, the women leave the tomb “with fear and great joy,” the guards “became as dead men,” and even among the eleven “some doubted”; what does this mix of fear, joy, worship, and doubt reveal about how God confronts people, and how should that inform the group’s expectations of “resurrection faith”?
Another way to ask: After the resurrection, people feel fear, joy, worship, and even doubt. What does that mix show about how God meets people, and what should we expect “resurrection faith” to look like?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript portrays God’s resurrection power as overwhelming and emotionally complex: it can produce fear, joy, worship, and even lingering doubt at the same time, so “resurrection faith” should be expected to include awe and growth, not only instant confidence.
- The scene includes a “great earthquake” and an angel whose “countenance was like lightning,” showing terrifying holiness.
- “For fear of him, the keepers did shake and became as dead men,” indicating confrontation and collapse before God’s power.
- The angel tells the women, “Fear not ye,” yet they leave “with fear and great joy,” holding both emotions together.
- When Jesus appears, they “held him by the feet and worshiped him,” showing faith expressed as worshipful surrender.
- Later, “when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted,” showing doubt can coexist with real worship.