Have you Seen Him? (2)

Have you seen Him?

Matthew 28:1-20

Easter 2025

I. Introduction

II. The Discovery (1-7, 8-10)

1. After the Sabbath, as it began to dawn.

A. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.

n The fact women are the first to see and give testimony to Jesus’ resurrection is evidence women held a prominent place in the life of the church.

n In ancient cultures the testimony of women was inadmissible. That the first testimony of the resurrection would come from a woman evidences the heightened status the church afforded women.

B. The ladies were going to the tomb to prep the body for a proper burial.

n Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. -Luke 23:55-24:1

n Does it sound like they were expecting Jesus to be resurrected?

C. The earthquake was a result of the angel v2b.

n The earthquake at the crucifixion was likely the one recorded in the historical records. It caused damage to the temple and was likely the cause of the graves bursting open and the veil being torn. Rector scale at approximately 7-9 in approximately 33 AD around April.

n The earthquake here is likely local and is the cause of the stone being rolled away. Not to let Jesus out but to allow the followers of Christ inside.

D. The angel had an appearance that struck fear in those who saw him.

n As is often the case, the appearance of an angel demands attention.

n The guards are struck with so much fear they begin to quake. The word translated quake is derived from the same Greek word translated earthquake and signifies a violent shaking due to immense fear. Eventually the guards would feint due to fear.

n The women are told not to be afraid and offered comfort by the angel.

2. The women are drafted into service to be the heralds of the resurrection of Christ to the disciples.

E. Come and See-Go and Tell

n The angel tells the women to investigate his claims by viewing the empty tomb.

n The angel then commissions the women to deliver the message to the apostles.

n ** it is important to note there was no condemnation in the tone of the angel. The women had come to prepare the body for burial, now they would prepare the apostles for their risen Master.

F. Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”

n The women were on their way to deliver the message from the angel to the disciples and on their way Jesus appeared to them. Out of all the possible introductions all Jesus says is Greetings… It is almost as if He had tried to prepare them for this very moment for the last 3.5 years.

n Go and report to my brothers (the disciples) to leave for Galilee.

III. The Deception (11-15)

1. Some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests.

A. This guard was likely the temple guard which is the reason they would report to the chief priest rather than Pilate.

n Vs 11 says they reported to the chief priest all that had happened.

- These were battle hardened men who served in the religious sector of Jerusalem. They would have seen peculiar things before but likely nothing that would have caused a reaction like what they had at the tomb.

B. The guards and the elders consult together.

n We are not let in on what this consultation entails but we do have a precedent we can review.

- A man born blind was healed by Jesus in John 9.

- Jesus Healed the man on the sabbath using his spit and clay from the ground.

- Because the event happened on the sabbath day the religious rulers used that as their way in to attack Jesus.

- The whole event resulted in the religious rulers criticizing the man who was blind and could now see. They were so adamant in their desire to condemn Jesus; they devoured an innocent man.

- Listen to this final dialogue between the rulers and the one who was blind and could now see: “The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. – Jn 9:30-34

2. The lie is concocted using money and promises of safety.

A. The position of the guards was a tricky one.

n Under Roman law if you lost a person you were to guard you forfeit your own life. These soldiers had lost the body of Jesus and would likely take his place if word got back to Pilate.

n The guards would have been eager to find a way out of this predicament.

B. The position of the religious rulers was a tricky one.

n They needed to be finished with the person of Jesus.

n The story the soldiers told them would have been one which kept the name of Jesus going. The angel, the stone rolled away, the guards, trained men of war, feinting at the sight of something so brilliant and powerful was a story that would be believed.

n The religious rulers provided:

- A way out of certain death for losing their charge.

- Money to retire and live the quiet life.

- A believable story that would have the backing of the religious powers in Jerusalem.

- A guarantee of safety should things be found out.

3. Jesus predicted this would be a possibility in one of His parables.

n Matthew 21:33-46

n I believe the religious rulers knew who he was and they sought to kill him because the did not want to lose their place of power.

n I cannot prove that but the parable in Matthew seems to indicate they knew he was talking about them and possibly what the parable meant.

IV. The Directive (16-20)

1. The apostles reach Galilee and are waiting patiently for Jesus.

A. The apostles are reclining in an upper room with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews.

n The women who had seen the risen Lord told the apostles that he was risen.

n Peter and John raced to the tomb, John wanted everyone to know he won the race (Jn 20:4).

n They knew Jesus the tomb was empty and had eyewitness testimony He had been seen by some of those who loved him dearly.

2. Some did not believe the reports and still doubted after seeing their risen Lord.

A. Jesus appeared to the apostles in the upper room.

n Mark says Jesus chided them for their unbelief.

n Matthew says some still doubted even after they saw him.

n John says Jesus told Thomas to look at the holes in his hands and thrust his hand in his side, to believe and not to doubt.

3. Jesus tells the disciples that he has been given all authority.

A. The apostles are commanded, in light of the authority given to Christ, to:

n Make disciples of all nations.

n Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

n Teaching them to keep all that Christ commanded them.

n Christ promised them that He would be with them through it all.

V. Conclusion

1. Note the parallels presented in the soldiers story and the apostles story.

A. The soldiers are told to be quiet, lie, and the following would be provided:

n A way out of certain death for losing their charge.

n Money to retire and live the quiet life.

n A believable story that would have the backing of the religious powers in Jerusalem.

n A guarantee of safety should things be found out.

B. The disciples are told to tell the story to everyone, tell the truth, and the following would be accomplished:

n Make disciples of all nations.

n Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

n Teaching them to keep all that Christ commanded them.

n Christ promised them that He would be with them through it all.

2. There are two groups of people in this story.

A. The Soldiers.

n This group was scared of what they saw.

n They were worried their deeds would cause them harm.

n Their silence and lies were bought.

B. The Disciples.

n Willingly put their lives at risk to meet with Jesus in Galilee.

n Worshiped the risen Lord, albeit not without reserve (see doubting Thomas)

n Willingly went out to proclaim the truth that would eventually cost each one of them their lives.

3. Which group do you belong to.

A. Do you see the truth and turn a blind eye”

n You know who Christ is, you’ve heard the stories but refuse to repent and believe the truth.

B. Do you see the truth and fall at his feet and worship?

n My prayer for you is that you will receive the risen lord as your savior.