Do not be afraid. Jesus is not dead. He has risen.

A man was diagnosed with a rare blood disease and told that he had only 5 years of life left. Even though there was no cure for the disease, he was prescribed a medication in order to try to control its progression. Unfortunately, the medication caused many side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Nevertheless, he was advised that he could never stop taking the medication for the rest of his life, because if he did the disease could progress more rapidly and aggressively.

This greatly depressed the man. What was the point of living if no matter what he did he was going to have to die sooner rather than later? One might be tempted to say that he was afraid of dying, but in reality this was not the case. He knew that dying is a natural step in life. So, then, why was he depressed? Was he afraid of the illness? Maybe. He didn't really know much about it, nothing beyond his bodily pain and fatigue.

One day he met another person with the same disease as he had, who presented a devastingly shocking image. Five years before this person had been diagnosed and given 10 years of life, but now he was nearly dead. Could it be that the man could only expect to live (well, if you could call this living) half the number of years predicted for him?

In Matthew 28:10a Jesus said, "Do not be afraid," but living with a disease such as this one, or with any other disease, causes us to experience so much fear! Nevertheless, Jesus was right. It's important not to be afraid, since many times it is the fear that kills us, and not the illness in and of itself. We find ourselves dead while yet still alive because of fear and despair. After reflecting on this, the man firmly declared to himself, "No, I am not going to die from this illness. I am going to 'live' with this illness." And then he prayed, "Lord, my God, help me get rid of the fear in my heart and mind and don't let it come back again."

Currently this man continues alive and he presents an enviable physical picture, because it looks like he isn't sick at all. Sadly, the other sick person died shortly after he met him.

Each time I tell this story to other people affected by all manner of illnesses, I remind them of the story of Jesus' resurrection. Many of these people think I am merely trying to make them feel better and they thank me for this. Many others think I am mocking them. But then there are others, perhaps a few, who understand the secret hidden in the story of the resurrection.

Many times when we receive a diagnosis of some disease, we die emotionally, mentally and spiritually. "Why me?", "Why is this happening to me?", "And why now?" are some of the questions that circle around us. Fear seizes us. We become depressed. We begin to die while yet still alive. Until finally we truly die physically. However, God, (in God's great nobility) has given us the opportunity to decide: "Die from...or Live with..."

Jesus overcame all things, and he did so because he put aside fear. He also wants us to overcome, therefore he invites to not be afraid, to witness for ourselves the miracle of resurrection.

What is your disease? What is your illness? What is it that is adversely affecting your life? A physical or emotional illness? Are you missing an arm or a leg? Do you lack a life partner? Are you childless? Are you short of money? Are you unemployed? Are you lonely? It doesn't matter what your answer is, you have the opportunity to decide. Do you want to die from it or live with it? Do you want to die a little at a time for the rest of your days? Or do you want to daily live the miracle of Christ's resurrection in you?

Scripture
Matthew 28:1-10
New International Version (NIV)

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

To read more devotionals by Mr. Rubio, visit A Big Child Ministry (http://abigchild.spaces.live.com).