What does the women's response in Matthew 28:9 teach about worship and reverence? The Setting: Meeting the Risen Jesus “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9) Key Observations • Immediate reaction: “They came to Him” – worship is a first impulse, not an afterthought • Physical posture: “grasped His feet” – a gesture of humility and submission (cf. Psalm 95:6) • Explicit adoration: “and worshiped Him” – acknowledgment of divinity, not mere respect • No hesitation: their prior fear (v. 8) yields to joyful reverence in His presence What This Teaches About Worship and Reverence 1. Jesus is worthy of direct, personal worship – Unlike angels who refuse worship (Revelation 22:8-9), Jesus receives it without rebuke. 2. True worship flows from recognizing the risen Lord – Resurrection affirms His deity (Romans 1:4); worship is the fitting response. 3. Reverence involves body, heart, and will – Bowing, clasping His feet, confessing—all demonstrate whole-person devotion (Romans 12:1). 4. Worship is relational, not ritualistic – The women knew Him; their response sprang from love (John 20:16-18 parallels Mary). 5. Joy and awe coexist – “Fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8) blend into reverent celebration (Psalm 2:11). 6. Worship precedes witness – Only after worship does Jesus commission them (v. 10); adoration equips for mission. Supporting Scriptures • Luke 24:52 – disciples “worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” • Revelation 1:17 – John “fell at His feet as though dead” when seeing the glorified Christ. • Acts 10:25-26 – Peter rejects Cornelius’s homage, underscoring that worship belongs to Jesus alone. Practical Takeaways for Today • Approach Jesus first with worship before service or requests. • Cultivate physical expressions of humility—kneeling, lifted hands—as outward signs of inward reverence. • Let resurrection truth fuel daily awe; rehearse the victory of Christ often. • Combine fear of the Lord with delight in His presence; both are biblical and balanced. • Share the risen Jesus after you have first adored Him; worship sustains effective witness. |
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