Scripture reading – Matthew 28; Mark 16
Our chronological study of the Gospel of Matthew concludes with Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and the commissioning of the disciples (less Judas, who betrayed Him) to “Go…teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
The Greatest News: “He is Risen, As He Said” (Matthew 28:1-6)
“Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary” had followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to see the place where the body of Jesus was laid (Matthew 27:61). When the Sabbath was past, several women began making their way to Christ’s tomb to anoint His body (although Matthew named only two in his Gospel, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,” Matthew 28:1). Matthew records “there was a great earthquake [and] the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” (28:2). The sight of the angel, whose “countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow” (Matthew 28:3) terrified the guards who “did shake, and became as dead men” (Matthew 28:4).
When the women arrived at the tomb where Jesus had been buried, they found it open and an angel waiting. Luke identified two angels in his Gospel (Luke 24:4-5); however, Matthew only mentions the one who spoke to the women. He said, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified” (Matthew 28:5). Calming their fears, the angel communicated an extraordinary message that changed their lives and the course of history forever: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).
The Greatest Privilege (Matthew 28:7-10)
With the command, “Go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:7), a small handful of faithful women were entrusted with the most incredible privilege…to tell others Christ was risen from the dead! As those women departed, they came face-to-face with the risen Christ, who saluted them with the words, “All hail” (28:9). Imagine the joy, the hope, and the emotions when they saw Christ! They fell before Him and “held him by the feet, and worshipped him” (Matthew 28:9). Jesus then comforted them with the words, “Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me” (Matthew 28:10).
The Great Dilemma (Matthew 28:11-15)
The news of Christ’s resurrection was celebrated by the women and the “eleven disciples [who] went away into Galilee” (Matthew 28:16). Yet when the soldiers reported to the chief priests, “all the things that were done” (Matthew 28:11), the religious leaders set in motion a plot that politicians refer to today as “damage control” (Matthew 28:11).
No effort was made to locate Jesus. Instead, the Sanhedrin was assembled, and it was determined there were only two possible explanations for why the body was not in the tomb: either Christ rose bodily from the dead, or His body was stolen (Matthew 28:12).
The Jewish elders then bribed the soldiers with a significant sum of money, charging them to say: “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:13). If a soldier was found sleeping at his post, it was deemed a capital punishment offense, but the Jewish leaders urged the guards to lie. They assured them, saying, “If this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you” (Matthew 28:14).
The soldiers agreed to the bribe, “took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (Matthew 28:15).
The Greatest Mission (Matthew 28:16-20)
Our study of Matthew’s Gospel concludes with the disciples receiving their commission. They were to spearhead the most extraordinary mission…to tell the news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to the nations and teach them to obey all the commandments He had taught them throughout their discipleship. With the assurance of Christ’s power and authority, the disciples were given a mission to all people, races, and nations.
Matthew 28:19–20 – “19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Questions to ponder:
1) What did the women find when they arrived at Jesus’ tomb? (Matthew 28:1-2)
2) What was the appearance of the angel? (Matthew 28:3)
3) What became of the men who guarded Christ’s tomb? (Matthew 28:4)
4) What did Jesus command the disciples? (Matthew 28:19-20)
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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