GOD’S MISSION IN MATTHEW

Matthew 28:1-15

Jesus’ Resurrection*

* A new kind of physical existence.

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.*Greek phobos or phobeo; cf. English phobia.One of three word groups used for worship in the Bible.“The centurion and those who were with him . . . were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!" Matt 27:54

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.

*“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Matt 26:32  

Then 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.”*Why Galilee, and not Jerusalem?“Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light . . .” Matt 4:15-16   

 8So the women hurried away from the tomb,

afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his

disciples.

 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings," he

said. They came to him,

clasped his feet and worshiped* him.

*Cf. 28:16-17Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 

10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there

they will see me."

11While the women were on their way, some of the guards

went into the city and reported to the chief

priests everything that had happened. 

12When the chief priests had met with the

elders and devised a plan, they gave the

soldiers a large sum of money, 13telling them,

“You are to say, ‘His disciples came during

the night and stole him away while we were

asleep.'

14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.“

15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.

And this story has been widely circulated among

the Jews to this very day.

Two broader issues:1. Historicity of the

resurrection• The resurrection of Jesus from

the dead is supported by significant historical evidence, including: the appearances to the disciples; the empty tomb; the rise of Christianity.

• Other discredited explanations include: the disciples stole the body; Jesus wasn’t dead; hallucinations.

2. Fear and the life of faith• As seen in this passage, fear

and faith often go hand in hand.• There is fear not rooted in faith,

and fear that is the foundation of faith.

• What is the object of our fear?

We choose what or whom we will fear:

• The future• Loss• Failure• Sickness• Hurt• Disappointment• Others

If God is the object of our fear, and if we know God is good, just, loving, and faithful (as demonstrated most fully in the Christ Event), we need not fear anything else.

This properly oriented fear, which leads naturally to worship, is the basis of saving and living faith, and marks those in Jesus’ kingdom, as well as the kingdom of God in the Old Testament.

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead leads to hope in our own, eventual resurrection. Our lives, including our bodies, will ultimately be restored and made new, in the footsteps of Jesus!