Matthew 28:7-20 "The King's Appearances & Commission"

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Today… we will have a Special Lunch after church celebrating our 2 year anniversary and finishing the Gospel of Matthew.

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Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 28:7-20.

Today, we conclude in the Gospel of Matthew… a study that we began in June of 2020… 1 year, 9 months… 28 Chapters…1071 verses.

A Gospel we studied line-upon-line, precept-upon-precept… chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse.

We finish this journey through the Gospel of Matthew today.

Last week we took a deep dive into Scripture. You should have seen some of your faces… Jaws dropping to the floor… it was great. Theology is good for the soul!

Sometimes we fly a mile high in Scripture, and sometimes it’s good to look at important topics up close.

And, last week we looked at some deep topics...

Where Jesus went and what He did in the three days between His death and resurrection.

Why we worship on Sunday.

The Jewish Feasts fulfilled in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

All of this because we encountered the empty tomb… Jesus risen from the dead… The Resurrection… a central topic to Christian Faith.

After the Resurrection, there were 40 days… 40 final days where Jesus made 10 appearances to His disciples, and then ascended to heaven.

Some beautiful final lessons that would set the course for His disciples to lead the early church…

If you’ve attended Calvary Chapel Lake City for any length of time, you know I love harmonizing the gospels.

I won’t have time to harmonized all the gospels today, so I printed a chronology of the forty days from the Resurrection to the Ascension… which is at the welcome table.

Grab one and be blessed as you see how the Spirit inspired the gospel writers to conclude their Gospels.

Today, we pick up in V7, at the tomb… right after the angels descended from heaven… rolled back the stone (not to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples in)… the angels paralyzed the Roman Guards with fear… and comforted the women disciples, NOT to fear.

After this, Jesus… risen from the dead… appears to many, and gives His final commission.

The title of today’s message is “The King’s Appearances & Commission.”

Let’s Pray!

Matthew 28:7-8 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

7 weeks ago I preached a sermon titled “On the Way to the Garden”… an all time favorite of mine because it was significant that Jesus had the disciples go back to Galilee.

Traveling North to Galilee, just to come back to Jerusalem was inconvenient, but not for their hearts that needed to be re-centered on Him.

And, there was significance in Jesus giving His Great Commission from Galilee… as we will see later.

V8 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

The women depart with fear and great joy. Not great fear and joy… their joy overshadowed their fear.

Seeing an angel and the empty tomb… it’s a lot to take in.

They were experiencing the miraculous… and realizing the promise of Jesus to rise again was not returning void.

Fear was present, but GREAT JOY prevailed.

Now, If you recall… the angel rolled away the stone and was sitting on the rock… then invited the women to see the empty tomb and told them, “He is not here; for He is risen.”

Luke 24:3-12 gives additional detail, “Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” 8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.”

Many times over, Jesus predicted his death and resurrection, but the male disciples didn’t comprehend this.

Even of Peter and John, who ran to the tomb, in John 20:9 it was recorded, “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.”

OT scriptures predicted Messiah’s resurrection.

Ps 16:10 “For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”

A Psalm of David.

Which Peter elucidates in Acts 2:31… David applied Ps 16:10 to Messiah, “he [David], foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.”

Last week we looked at how Jesus’ spirit went to Sheol or Hades (the same place), and His flesh… His body remained in the tomb or grave, but was not corrupted… it did not decay BECAUSE He rose again… the resurrection.

The women’s testimony of angels and an empty tomb was too much for the disciples to comprehend…

The women remembered Jesus’ prediction that He would die and rise again… but still, the disciples did not believe them. They thought the women were speaking nonsense.

Still today… How often do Christians hear the promises of God through His word… and when life’s difficulties arise… forget His promises?

If other believers are reminding and encouraging you of His miracles and promises… don’t be thick. They are NOT idle tales.

The disciples fail in this moment to remember… and hold fast to His promises.

Thomas was another example of lacking faith post crucifixion… … in John 20:25… the familiar account of “Doubting Thomas,” “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

A week later Jesus appeared again and we read in John 20:27-29, “He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

A climatic statement in John’s Gospel testifying Jesus is God.

Thomas’ skepticism was crushed under the weight… of the reality of the resurrected Lord.

Jesus told Thomas, “Don’t doubt, believe.”

V29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Today, we cannot touch the physical manifestation of the resurrected Jesus.

But, we live under the dispensation of a special blessing… if you profess faith in Jesus today… without seeing, but believing… you are the recipient of a special blessing.

Perhaps in this lifetime or when Jesus rewards us in heaven.

Some call faith without seeing “blind faith”… but I would softly challenge this… for the evidence to believe in Jesus is overwhelming.

There is nothing blind about my faith. The Bible alone is evidence.

Add on… healings in my family, my changed heart… God stories… and the stones of remembrance of His faithfulness… all very real… very tangible… not blind.

And, you have your own testimony… your faith is not blind either.

Before we move on, I would be remiss to highlight some mentions of Peter at this time in the parallel gospels… and these mentions of Peter blessed my heart.

In John 20:3-4, John included a funny detail… after he and Peter heard about the empty tomb, “Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.”

What was the point of John writing he beat Peter in a foot race?

I understand that John was younger and obviously swifter, but why years later, did John include this detail when he wrote his Gospel?

It may just highlight that there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun… to have a light heart.

I like to pick on Peter sometimes, because I relate well to him. But, it seems I’m not the only one… John may have been picking on Peter a bit too. Having a little fun.

If this is any glimpse of God’s heart for us eternally, we can rest assured that heaven is not going to to be boring… there will be joy… contentment… peace… and perhaps a little fun. And, this should bless us all.

One more Peter mention… in Mark 16:7, after the angels appeared to the women, they specifically instructed, “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

And this blessed me because God’s grace is always bigger than our denials.

Three time Peter denied Christ.

Many people would cut off a friend who betrayed them even once, but three times?

Most, if not all of us, in diverse ways, are no different than Peter… formerly deniers of our Lord.

But, Jesus extended grace to us… just as He did to Peter.

The messengers of Jesus… the angels… instructed the women to deliver a message to the disciples and Peter.

Peter was still a disciple. He was not cut off. He was forgiven.

God’s grace is always bigger than our denials.

After the Empty Tomb and the appearance of the angels, John records Jesus’ first appearance, was to Mary Magdalene… she was outside the tomb… weeping…

In John 20:15-17 we read, “Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). [The sheep know His voice] 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

Jesus is not forbidding her to touch Him… it seems she was clinging to Him… almost detaining Him as though He would vanish immediately, but He was not yet ascending… He would first appear to His disciples.

And, then Jesus appears to all the women… His second appearance picks back up in…

Matt 28:9-10 “And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Many women were listed going to the tomb…

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, Salome, and other unnamed women.

Jesus met them and instructed, “Rejoice!”… be glad… be full of joy… for there was much to joy over.

So they fall at His feet and worship Him.

How else should one respond to the risen Lord? He was crucified, died, buried, and rose again… worshipping Him is most appropriate.

It’s marvelous that the first two appearances of Jesus were to women… in our society this may seem less impressive because we recognize women’s equality.

Which is very much a blessing of Christian society. You do NOT see women’s equality in many societies, but you do with societal Christian foundations.

In the first century, women were not esteemed. So, the inclusion of these women in Scripture… and as His first witnesses testifies of two things.

First, Scripture is not a made up story. It would have been far more acceptable, in that day, to omit this account with the women.

Women were not allowed to be a witness in a court setting, but despite being counter-cultural Jesus chose the women as His first witnesses.

Which leads to the second point… Jesus valued their witness of Him… He instructed them to be witnesses for the disciple.

A clear affirmation that God values women.

Next, Matthew records how the Roman soldiers were bribed… an event only Matthew records.

Matthew 28:11-15 “Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ [which is a ridiculous lie… if you were asleep, how would you know what happened? Why would anyone accept this lie?] V14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears [Pontius Pilate], we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

So, a tale of two witnesses. The women and now… false witnesses.

Jesus commissioned the women to rejoice and spread the truth of the resurrection.

While the Sanhedrin consorts with their enemy to spread lies.

I mentioned last week that this event is only recorded in Matthew… keep in mind that Matthew wrote to the Jews… and Matthew records this lie was “commonly reported among the Jews”…

So, Scripture now stands as a third witness testifying against the false witnesses and exposes the conspiracy of the Sanhedrin.

After this, Jesus begins to appear to various disciples… still Resurrection Sunday.

First He appears to Peter, which is only briefly mentioned in 1 Cor 15:5 and Luke 24:34.

Marvelous grace to appear to Peter first.

Then, Sunday afternoon… Jesus appeared to two disciples (Cleopas & an unnamed disciple)… on the road to the village of Emmaus (possibly a village about 7 miles Northwest of Jerusalem)… a beautiful account that testifies of His resurrection, empty tomb, fulfillment of prophecy, and foretelling of the ascension.

And, to these two disciples, Luke 24:27 reads, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Jesus “expounded”… by def. He ‘explained thoroughly and interpreted’ how the OT Scriptures were fulfilled in Him.

I have heard people say Jesus was a topical preacher. And, I’ve heard people say He was a teacher.

Moreso Jesus was the Master Teacher. He knew precisely what His audience needed.

Sometimes He preached to the people, and sometimes He taught them. Sometimes He spoke in parables, and in this moment He expounded the scripture.

There is a time to preach and a time to teach depending on how the Holy Spirit leads.

And, teaching or preaching the word in accordance to the Spirit, should elicit a response.

In Luke 24:32, these disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

In the midst of an intellectual examination of Scripture these disciples were affected in their hearts.

And, that’s my prayer for Calvary Chapel… that as we expound verse-by-verse through Scripture… that your hearts burn… that our lives are changed.

Jesus prayed to the Father, in Jn 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

After this, these Emmaus Road disciples would return to Jerusalem and meet up with the eleven, and testify of the risen Christ…

Luke 24:36-38 reads, “Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” [in Hebrew, “Shalom”] 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Jesus assured them that He was bodily resurrected. He was not a spirit, but back in His body of flesh… dead and now alive.

He wanted them to see and to touch Him. he even ate a meal.

And, John 20:21-22 records Jesus said, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

What exactly happened here is debated, but it would seem they were sealed with the Holy Spirit… different from the Baptism of the Spirit in Acts 1 and 2.

Eight days later, Jesus would appear again to these disciples… Thomas with them now… the account of doubting Thomas.

But, many of these details and appearances were not important for Matthew’s purposes.

Matthew wrote to the Jews to prove Jesus was their awaited Messiah and King.

A key verse to his Gospel is Matt 1:1, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham…”

Matthew wrote to prove Jesus was the fulfillment of the Davidic and Abrahamic Covenants… very significant for the Jews.

But, the final appearances in these harmonies… not as import for Matthew’s purposes.

And so, Matthew simply summarizes the appearance of Jesus to the Disciples in Matthew 28:16-17…

Matthew 28:16-17 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.”

After the appearances in Jerusalem, the disciples spent an additional 32 days North in Galilee… these final days prior to Jesus’ ascension.

There was a mountain where they would meet… the location of which is unknown.

In V17, Matthew records a mix of worship and doubt amongst the disciples… which seems contradictory… how does one worship and doubt simultaneously?

I think we are observing not one heart, but many hearts… two distinct groups of people…

V17a states, “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him.;”

This seems to be Group 1… the eleven disciples. They had seen the risen Lord twice now… they did not doubt… they worshiped Him.

When you encounter the risen Lord… when He tangibly demonstrates that He is real in your life… worship is the result.

“...but some doubted.” V17b. I believe this refers to a separate group, and there were other disciples in Galilee.

Paul later wrote, 1 Cor 15:3-6, “...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas [Peter}, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.” [now home with the Lord]

I believe some doubted in this group of 500, but not the 11.

During these final 32 days, John 21 would also record several of the disciples went fishing… and Peter was restored by Jesus… three times Jesus said something to the effect of, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep...”

Read through that passage in John 21 and study the different Greek words for “love”… there’s greater depth to that passage then our English allows.

Use an app like Blue Letter Bible… with an Interlinear tool to help.

There are so many rich details… it’s clear why John concluded his Gospel with these words John 21:25, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

I hope to learn about these “other things that Jesus did”… in the “ages to come.”

Paul talks about this as he gives us a glimpse of heaven in Eph 2:6-7, God “...raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Rev 21:7 promises, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

Heaven will include intimacy with God, and I hope… more knowledge of God as part of our “inheritance of all things.”

Much to look forward to.

Well, before Jesus ascended to heaven (which we will look at in the first chapter of Acts)… as He was in Galilee with the disciples, He didn’t depart without instruction.

Matthew concludes his Gospel with what we call… “The Great Commission.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 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.” Amen.”

There is a ton packed into these three verses. And, these verses should be packed into your heart.

They are not just The Great Commission, but they are YOUR Commission.

If you call Jesus “Lord,” then you have agreed to submit your life to Him. He is your Lord… meaning ‘Master’… you are His servant… even ‘slave’ per the original Greek.

Therefore, when He commands… all Christians are to obey.

And, what are these final words… this final commission… this final command?

It begins with “Authority.” All authority… sometimes translated as the word “power”… in Gk. “exousia”… Authority is the right of an official. It could be translated as “dominion.”

Jesus died, and the Father did not leave Him dead. If the Father did not approve of Jesus, He would have just let Him remain dead.

But, the Father did approve of Jesus… His sacrifice… His foretelling of His resurrection… and approved of His proclamations like John 14:6 “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

And now risen, Jesus has all authority, as given to Him by the Father, over heaven and earth.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus describes Himself as the “Alpha and Omega… the Beginning and the End... the First and the Last...”

All life and death begin and end with Him. He is the book ends to all existence…

He is Creator and Judge.

He said in Rev 1:18, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

If you have a key to a room, you have authority over that room. You have the legal right to open that door.

Jesus has the keys. The Father gave Him all authority.

And, as the one with all authority, this is what He commands us…

“Make disciples.”

The Great Commission is one imperative and three participles.

The imperative or ‘authoritative command’ is “make disciples”…

...and how we do that is explained by the three participles “Go,” “Baptize,” and “Teach.”

Three participles describing how we make disciples.

A disciple is a “student or follower” of Jesus Christ. A pupil.

As a Christian, we are commanded to “make disciples” …

Creating Converts to Christianity… is only step one.

Share the Gospel and people will get saved, but then “make disciples.”

Discipleship is a time sacrifice...

Studying God’s word with the new Christian… praying with them… role modeling loving God and loving others.

It’s not one and done… it’s a process.

Noteworthy is Jesus told these Jewish men to “make disciples of all nations” AND He gave this commission in Galilee… not in Jerusalem.

Nations is the Gk. word ĕthnŏs, and it points beyond Jews to the Gentiles.

And, Galilee was a despised area. Nathaniel said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Jn 1:46 Nazareth was in the Galilee region.

Our Messiah, the Gospel, and our Commission emerge from a despised area … even for a despised people… all nations/ Gentiles… you and I.

I was blessed to witness disciple making at a coffee shop the other day. I overheard an older Christian woman discipling a younger Christian woman.

Making disciples is still happening 2000 some years post this command being given.

HOW we make disciples of all nations is we…

Go- We get off our coaches, get into the world, and we talk to people. This involves sacrifice of time, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of resources.

I don’t know where you are supposed to Go… but I know He will lead you. He has led me literally around the world and back again.

To the Jews, He promised, Deut 4:29 “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

I’m not even Jewish, and this verse has never failed me! Whenever I honestly seek Him, I find Him.

Next, Baptize- by def. “to dip, immerse.”

Symbolically, immersed into the water… as Christ went into the grave… coming out as He was resurrected.

As you go under the water, you identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.

And, in essence, you are publically committing to putting to death the old man, and arising new in Christ.

I prefer full immersion baptism, and believe it’s proper by definition and the biblical example… but, I also recognize it’s not always possible.

If one has a handicap, it would make sense to sprinkle them.

But, sprinkle, dip, or dunk… what is more important is the heart of WHY one gets baptized…

Which is to identify with the Triune God: “… in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

And, these are the names I baptize with.

Baptism is not an absolute for salvation… the thief on the cross was not baptized and Jesus assured the thief he would join Jesus that day in paradise…

But, you should get baptized because the Lord was baptized and he tells us to baptize.

If you have not been baptized, please let me know… summer is coming, and we have many lakes in our town… some of us even have pools.

But I must warn you… If I baptize you, I reserve the right how long I hold you under… depending upon MY discernment of your sin condition. Some of you may need a deeper cleansing.

And, the last participle, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

“Teaching” in Gk. means “to teach.”

And, Calvary Chapel is unapologetically a teaching ministry.

You may not get entirely wound up emotionally here, but you WILL learn.

Isaiah was made fun of for teaching “precept upon precept, line upon line,” but we embrace his style.

To the “babes in Christ” in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul fed them with milk and not with solid food.

Many people who come to Calvary Chapel have progressed past milk and desire solid food, which by def. can be translated as “meat.”

I hope you feel full every Sunday when you depart.

To the Ephesian Elders, Acts 20:27 Paul said, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

This is our conviction. To declare and teach ALL of Scripture… from Genesis to Revelation.

We are to teach our students to observe (or guard by def.) ALL things… not some things… but all the things Jesus commanded.

And Jesus said the greatest commandment was love.

To love God and then to love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus said, in Matt 22:40 “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

And the last words of this Gospel... the beautiful promise of our Lord...

“… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“Lo” can mean “behold, remember or surely...”

Behold, remember, and assuredly… He is with us… 2000 some years post ascension… He is with us to the end of this church age… to the end of the millennium… and for all eternity.

He said, “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Dt 31:6, Josh 1:5, Heb 13:5).

And, though today, He is “sitting at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1), He is with us…

His mind is on you… He is praying for you… Heb 7:25 states, “He always live to make intercession for them.” (believers).

And, Matthew concludes His Gospel… at least in the New King James.. as ALL the writers of the Gospels conclude their Gospels… with the word, “Amen.”

Meaning “truly or trustworthy.”

It’s a Hebrew declaration of affirmation and an exclamation of agreement at the close of a doxology or prayer.

And, we do agree with You Lord, for Your sayings and promises are trustworthy.

“Blessed be the LORD forevermore! Amen and Amen.”

And, that concludes the Gospel of Matthew.

Let’s Pray!

Next week, the Book of Acts… read ahead.

If you need prayer…

Don’t forget to grab some food, as we celebrate our 2 year anniversary, and the conclusion our our study in Matthew.