HE HAS RISEN

MATTHEW 28:1-10/16-20

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2There 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.”

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galile, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

28: 2   The stone was not rolled aside so Jesus could get out but so others could get in and see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, just as he had promised.

28: 5-7   The angel who announced the good news of the Resurrection to the women gave them four messages: (1)  “ Do not be afraid.” The reality of the Resurrection brings joy, not fear. When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb. (2)  “ He is not here.” Jesus is not dead and is not to be looked for among the dead. He is alive, with his people. (3)  “ Come and see.” The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb was empty then, and it is empty today. The Resurrection is a historical fact. (4)  “ Go quickly and tell.” They were to spread the joy of the Resurrection. And we, too, are to spread this great news!

28: 6   Jesus’ resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. Why? (1)   Just as he promised, Jesus rose from the dead. We can be confident that he will also accomplish everything else he has promised. (2)   Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler of God’s eternal kingdom, not a false prophet or impostor. (3)   We can be certain of our future resurrection because he was resurrected. Death is not the end— an eternal future life awaits. (4)   The power that brought Jesus back to life is available to us to bring our spiritually dead selves back to life. (5)   The Resurrection is the basis for the church’s witness to the world. Jesus is more than just a human leader; he is the Son of God.

Jesus’ resurrection was already causing a great stir in Jerusalem. A group of women was moving quickly through the streets, looking for the disciples to tell them the amazing news that Jesus was alive. At the same time, a group of religious leaders was plotting how to cover up the Resurrection. Today the Resurrection still causes a great stir, and we still have only two choices: to believe that Jesus rose from the dead or to be closed to the truth— denying it, ignoring it, or trying to explain it away.

28: 18-20   When someone is dying or leaving us, his or herlast words are very important. Jesus left the disciples with these last words of instruction: They were under his authority; they were to make more disciples; they were to baptize and teach these new disciples to obey his words; and he would be with them always. Whereas in previous missions Jesus had sent his disciples only to the Jews (10: 5-6), their mission from now on would be worldwide. Jesus is Lord of the earth, and he died for the sins of people from all nations. We likewise are to go— whether it is next door or to another country— and make disciples. This is not an option but a command to all who call Jesus Lord. We may not all be evangelists in the professional sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to help fulfill the great commission. As we obey him, we have comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us.

28: 18   The Father gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told his disciples to make more disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. With this same authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the Good News and make them disciples for the kingdom.

28: 19   Jesus’ words affirm the reality of the Trinity. Some people accuse theologians of making up the concept of the Trinity and reading it into Scripture. But as we see here, the concept comes directly from Jesus himself. He did not say to baptize people in the names but rather in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The word Trinity does not occur in Scripture, but it well describes the three-in-one nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

28: 19   The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and their resurrection to new life. Baptism symbolizes submission to Jesus as Lord, a willingness to live God’s way, and identification with God’s covenant people.

28: 20   How is Jesus with us? Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into heaven and then spiritually through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 4). The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence that would never leave them (John 14: 26). Jesus continues to be with us today through his Spirit.

28: 20   The Old Testament prophecies and genealogies in the book of Matthew present Jesus’ credentials for being king of the world— not a military or political leader, as the disciples had originally hoped, but a spiritual king who can overcome all evil and rule in the heart of every person. If we refuse to serve this king faithfully, we are disloyal subjects, fit only to be banished from the kingdom. We must make Jesus king of our lives and worship him as our king, as well as our Savior and Lord.

Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible

ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS adn know that CHRIST died and rose from the grave to justify our lives and be acceptable to GOD as we have our sins paid for by JESUS CHRIST and what he did for us in death and overcoming sin by rising again for eternal life. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN!!

otwhministries.org By Richard Dean Brooks