The Resurrection
Matthew 28:1-20 is the account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this passage: First, the reality of the resurrection—“The angel answered and said to 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.’” (vv. 5-6) Scripture describes at least ten different appearances of Jesus between the resurrection and ascension … to Mary Magdalene at the tomb; to the women on the road; to the disciples on the road to Emmaus; to Peter; to ten of the eleven disciples (without Thomas); to the eleven disciples (with Thomas) eight days later; to seven disciples by the shore of the Sea of Galilee; to more than five hundred disciples, probably on a mountainside in Galilee; to James; and to the apostles when He ascended into heaven. After His ascension, He appeared to Paul. The next time Jesus appears it will be in glory. Second, the rejection of the resurrection—“The elders … gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them, “His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.”’” (vv.12-13) The Jewish leaders were so determined to cover up what had occurred. They remained stubborn in unbelief even in the face of the evidence. How feeble are people’s attempts to satisfy their conscience in rejecting Jesus Christ. Trying to gain eternal life without faith hasn’t changed a bit. Third, the result of the resurrection—“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Two phrases in this passage are most important to you and me as we serve Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples” and “I (Jesus) am with you always.” (vv. 19-20)
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.