This is the final chapter in Matthew. This is also the chapter that we waited patiently to read or hear.
JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD
Matthew 28:1-7
Life Application New Testament Commentary Starts this chapter this way. Since I am not the greatest typer in the world I copied and pasted their introduction. It is an outstanding start.
"The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built; without it, there would be no Christian church today. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and afterlife, and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever.
Why is the Resurrection so important?
Because of the Resurrection, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth’s history.
Because of the Resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and that we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ.
The Resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world. The apostles’ most important message was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead!
The Resurrection gives meaning to the church’s regular feast, the Lord’s Supper. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we break bread with our risen Lord.
The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, the Resurrection gives us hope for the future.
The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling his Kingdom.
Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, lifestyle, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians—Jesus Christ rose from the dead!"
Mat 28:1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Mat 28:2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
This was the first chance that Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph, were able to go the tomb because of the Sabbath.
Mat 28:3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. Mat 28:4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Mat 28:5 Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Mat 28:6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. Mat 28:7 And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you."
Okay, you just arrive at the tomb of the one that you loved and it is empty. Instead here sitting on a stone was a brightly glowing person that is "white and snow." The tomb is empty and what are your feelings if you were the one that just showed up. You might believe that the tomb had been robbed and Jesus moved, but the talking Angel puts a real damper on that. The only thing left to believe is the Jesus has risen. If this were 2015 we would look for false walls or some sort of trick but we would not have found any. What then would we believe?
JESUS APPEARS TO THE WOMEN
Matthew 28:8-10
Mat 28:8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message. Mat 28:9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid! Go tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there."
It is amazing that the first appearance of Jesus it to the two Mary's that rushed to him. The women held his feet (a Near Eastern custom of what a subject does in showing obeisance to a king). They knew that Jesus was the son of God positively at that moment.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS BRIBE THE GUARDS
Matthew 28:11-15
Mat 28:11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. Mat 28:12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. Mat 28:13 They told the soldiers, "You must say, 'Jesus' disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole His body.'
Mat 28:14 If the governor hears about it, we'll stand up for you so you won't get in trouble." Mat 28:15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
Even after Jesus had said that he would rise on the third day the elders still did not believe. I have always thought that rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph would have had a nice chuckle. Not because he got his tomb back but because he believed!
JESUS GIVES THE GREAT COMMISSION
Matthew 28:16-20
Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him—but some of them doubted! Mat 28:18 Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Mat 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Mat 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
There it is Mat 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. There it is. What you say? This is why there is a difference between Christians and other religions and we were given explicit direction as what we are to do. Make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It cannot be any clearer, what are you doing to further the fathers command?
Agape
Dave
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