The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matthew 28:1-20

In 1 Cor 15:14, the Scripture says, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Christianity hangs on this fact. The

Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the FOUNDATION of Christianity.

28:1-10 – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I. The. Descent of the Angel (2-4)

a. The angel rolls the stone away (2)

b. The appearance of the Angel described (3)

c. The guards fainted (v. 4)

Matthew 28:1–4 KJV 1900

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The introduction of Matthew for the Resurrection narrative is very intense. Matthew indicates that the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to “see” the tomb. This “seeing” means they came with an intention to show their devotion to their Lord who was dead. The idea continues from Matthew 27:61

Matthew 27:61 KJV 1900

And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

They were not aware that this “seeing” with a sad face would end up “seeing” the Risen Lord (28:9-10). The seeing of Jesus by this women indicates a “new day” motif and a new period of salvation history.

Matthew’s explanation of the angel is also interesting, and makes one think about the appearance of the “Son of Man” and the “Ancient of the Days” in the book of Daniel 10:5-6

Daniel 10:5–6 KJV 1900

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

The result of the angel’s coming is an earthquake and the lifelessness of the guards.

There was already one earthquake following Jesus’ death. Added to that, this second earthquake connects the death and the resurrection as a single event in God’s salvation history.

II. The Commissioning of the Women (5-7)

a. The rebuke (“you are seeking”) (v.5)

b. The announcement of empty tomb and resurrection (v.6)

c. The mission of the women (v.7)

Matthew 28:5–7 KJV 1900

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Notice a few things here:

The angel prohibits women from being afraid.

He knows that they were seeking, an interesting term; they were seeking Jesus, which was crucified. They were looking for the crucified Jesus, but not for the Risen Jesus.

The seeking is ongoing - a present tense form. Their seeking is fruitless. Because he is not here. “AS HE SAID.”

The women did not belief that Jesus would be raised up from the dead. In fact, Jesus told them several times that He would not remain dead, but He would raise up again!

The Four Important Imperatives

Come

See

Tell

Come - The angel said come as if he was saying, “Do not worry about anything.” The women may have been concerned seeing that the stone was rolled away. They probably were worried that Rome might punish them or accuse them.

This verb is important because, Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the message of the Resurrection invites one to “come” to the Lord, because He was no longer dead, but Risen! Matthew 11:28-29 says

Matthew 11:28–29 KJV 1900

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Gospel preaching invites people to “come” to the Lord. Unless one makes the decision to come, they cannot “see” God or the things of God.

The second imperative is “See”

See what? That the LORD is no longer here. He is RISEN! The angel told them to come and see because DEATH has no power over him; death cannot hold him. With His resurrection, death is defeated.

However, this should make us think why Jesus was put in the tomb first. This should make us think of the condescension of God; that God should be placed in the tomb to save us; This “seeing” should help us see what sin has done to our God - He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.

What should we “see?” We too shall, unless the LORD returns, see the tomb, but we must remember that we too shall rise as Jesus did. 1 John 3:2 says

1 John 3:2 KJV 1900

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And because of this fact, that we shall see Christ and live into eternity with Him, we must “GO.”

The next imperative is “Go.”

Go where? The angel told them to go and see that Jesus is no longer dead, but Risen. And because of this, we have a responsibility - we must GO and make disciples of all nations (19-20).

How can we make disciples? When we “tell” what we have “seen” about Jesus in the Scripture and in our lives.

Therefore, the last imperative is “tell.”

The imperative beautifully follows the other imperatives. Come, see, go and tell. When we come to the tomb, and see Jesus is no longer there, we then must go and tell other what we witnessed. It is our obligation to declare that Jesus is RISEN, and there is LIFE in Him.

The angel declared the women to go “quickly” - Matthew was adding some intensity here. They were to go quickly and tell the disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.

Why Galilee? Because that is where Jesus did a lot of ministry and also trained His disciples how to follow in His footsteps, and how to obey the Lord in their lives; and how to serve Him.

III. The Appearance of Jesus to the Women (8-10)

a. The fear and joy of the women (v.8)

b. The message of Jesus to Him in Galilee (9-10)

Matthew 28:8–10 KJV 1900

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

The concern about “what would have happened to our LORD” - that is, the fear, when they came to the tomb turned to joy. What type of joy you ask? It is as Matthew 2:10

Matthew 2:10 KJV 1900

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

The women “rejoiced” and ran to “tell” the news to the disciples. The term used for “tell” is a very strong verb. The women were to “announce” the fact about Jesus’ resurrection to the disciples.

In other words, these women were divinely commissioned to bring the good news about the resurrection of the King of kings!

While they were on their way, Jesus met them and said “great joy!” He doubled their joy!!

What did they do? They worshipped Jesus by falling on His feet. Jesus accepted the worship. Jesus proved that only GOD can accept worship.

It is like reminding Satan that only God should receive worship or accept worship. Look at Matthew 4:9-10

Matthew 4:9–10 KJV 1900

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Jesus then told the women to go to his “brethren” and tell them that he would see them at Galilee. Again, Jesus’ place of teaching and discipling. Jesus began his ministry there, and training his disciples, and this is where he wants to meet them again.

However, notice that upon Jesus’ arrest, a prophetic fulfillment happened - his disciples deserted him. But, this expression - that He would meet them again tells us the act of Jesus in forgiving them and restoring them back to Himself. Think of compassion and mercy here!

Note that Galilee is also a place of Gentiles. Jesus’ selection of this place had to do with the expansion of His mission through His disciples.

Lessons to learn:

God vindicated Jesus; He raised Jesus up from the dead; Jesus is victorious; we are victorious because of Jesus’ resurrection.

We learned that disciples failed Jesus; however, Jesus was gracious; he forgave them. The presence of Jesus made the women overcome their failures, and so we can too overcome our fears by the presence of Jesus; like the women, we must be “transformed to be ambassadors of resurrection news.” (Osborne, ZECNT, 1070).

Note: Matthew opens this Gospel with a supernatural event in chapter 2 and closes it with a supernatural event in chapter 28

28:11-20 – The Result of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

IV. The Conspiracy of the Leaders and the Guards (11-15)

a. The report of the guards (v.11)

b. Falsifying the report (12-14)

c. The proclamation of the false message (v.15)

Matthew 28:11–15 KJV 1900

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The enemy doesn’t give up on his efforts to hinder God’s work. In spite of that, God’s work would not come to a halt.

The Roman soldiers should go and report to Pilate, but they came and reported to the priests. Why? Because these are the ones who are more concerned about Jesus, and therefore, the soldiers were doing a favor to them. In return, the guards hope that they would be protected by the priests.

The guards were then told to spread the lie, whereas the women were to tell the greatest truth.

V. Jesus’ Commission to Reach the World to Make Disciples (16-20)

a. He appears to the disciples in Galilee as told (16-17)

b. The Great Commission (18-20)

i. The universal authority of Jesus (18)

ii. The commission to disciple the world (19)

iii. The promise of Jesus with the Church (20)

Matthew 28:16–17 KJV 1900

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

We do not know the mountain, but Jesus, just like he taught the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, He now commissions His disciples on a mountain. When the disciples saw Him, they worshiped Him. How can one not worship the resurrected Lord?

However, the text also says that some doubted. Better understood as some were hesitant. Probably because they were not sure? Or it could imply that the disciples were not yet fully matured in their faith, and are still growing.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching 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.

The Great Commission

What does it mean by all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth?

Jesus has this divine status, that the RISEN Saviour have the authority of Yahweh! He unites two spheres - heaven and earth. Jesus has the universal authority.

By this authority Jesus authorizes His disciples to Go and make disciples in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus further commanded them to teach them to observe “all things” whatsoever he commanded by adding a “promise” to the statement, that, he will be with them/us until the end of the world.

One writer says, ““Jesus’ effective presence … is the final assurance that his teaching will be both preserved and spread to all the nations.” (J.K. Brown)

Conclusion:

Jesus’ resurrection should motivate us to live a life with true joy, because we not have hope provided by the Lord, and we also must share that hope the resurrected Lord gave to the world - He commissioned us, and we must obey Him to make disciples.