Just As He Said

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” (Matthew 28:6 NKJV)

You know the “mom answer,” when kids complain and delay in obedience to orders: 

“Why? Because I said so.”

When a parent’s authority is secure, this final remark is usually enough to send grumbling children off to do their homework or chore duties. God gives moms and dads verbal authority to keep their children in order. It reflects His own right to be the ultimate Parent over His children on earth. 

When God sent His Son Jesus to dwell among us and teach us His truth, believers thronged to hear His commands—not with grumbling but in astonishment because He taught as One with authority. (See their reaction as Jesus concluded His “Sermon on the Mount,” Matthew 7:28-29.) They thirsted to hear His words because they believed in Him.

If we Christians today who follow Him truly believe He is the Son of God, why do we have such trouble accepting what He said is true? Why do we distrust the Scriptures? Why do we delay to obey?

The simple answer is that, despite Christ’s saving grace, we are still fallen, sinful children. Doubts creep in when we think He’s not listening to our prayers. Skeptical thoughts (little demonic jabs) whisper that the Bible is nothing more than a far-fetched fairy tale. And there are always plenty of good excuses as to why we shouldn’t heed God’s commandments…at least not right away. 

But if we believe that Jesus is God, then what He says is always true—whether it’s His commandment, a declaration of who He is, or His promise.

Remember what happened when the women arrived at the tomb on Easter morning? They found an empty grave, along with angels. The gleaming one sitting on the tombstone must have been a fearsome sight because the tough Roman guards fell down like dead men upon seeing him.

The angel told the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead….” (Matthew 28:5-7 NKJV)

These ladies didn’t hesitate. They ran with fear and great joy, without doubting the angelic messenger’s words. They recognized that this angel received his orders from Jesus, the powerful One who has just shattered the finality of death. Maybe they remembered Jesus’ prophecy that He would rise from the dead.

This Easter, three of those words by the angel have struck me with their significance…“as He said.” Some translations include the word “just,” to emphasize that each of the words are carefully chosen to confirm their truth. Jesus keeps His promises very specifically.

Friend, as Easter morning drifts into our rearview mirror, we need to be confident in what Jesus proclaimed. He predicted His death and resurrection several times. He told His chosen disciples that the way He would save us would be to die for us. He fulfilled His promises to a T, just as He said He would.

It’s so hard to maintain our Easter joy as we are slung back into the heavy traffic of the workweek. Jesus’ words become muffled in the hue and cry of the demands around us. How do we remember the sacrifice He made for us? 

Sometimes we simply lift our tear-filled eyes and beg for help, the same as the distraught father did for his demon-possessed son: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NKJV)

Christ has spread His banner of love over us—and He will call to mind the long history of His faithfulness to us. He will hear our prayers, comfort us, hold our hearts securely, shelter us in the storms, and safeguard our souls for heaven with Him. He will greet us in eternity and wipe away every tear from our eyes…because He has risen…just as He said.

Holy Jesus, Lamb of God who takes away my sins, I praise You for Your power and mercy. You are trustworthy to keep Your promises, and You have been faithful despite my faithlessness at times. How good You are to let me approach Your throne in prayer, knowing what I have done and loving me anyway. Thank You for giving me grace and salvation to live with You. Grant me Your power to believe every one of Your words—just as You said them. In Your blessed name, Amen. 

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Easter #resurrection #faithfulness #authority #parenting