The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ According To The Gospel Of Matthew

An angel of the Lord rolled away the stone of Jesus' tomb.

Matthew 28:1-10  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. 2)  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. 3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4)  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5)  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6)  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7)  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. 8)  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9)  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. 10)  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 

Devout women of faith went to the place where Jesus was buried before anyone else. 

Their intent was to give Jesus' body a proper anointing for burial.

However, before they arrived, the angel of the Lord came to roll the heavy stone away. 

Matthew describes him as having a bright, brilliant appearance similar to lightning.

The angel sat upon the stone and the keepers, who were battle hardened Roman soldiers, shook violently with fear and collapsed so that it seemed they were dead.

To the women seeking to anoint Jesus' body, he said "Fear not." He knew why they came and he told them that Jesus had risen from the dead as He said He would do.

He told the women to enter the tomb and having seen that Christ was not there, they were to go with speed and tell the disciples about Jesus' resurrection. 

These faithful ladies obeyed and went to find the others with hearts full of both fear mixed with joy.

Then, Jesus met them in the way and they bowed and worshiped their resurrected Lord. 

Jesus told them to go and tell the disciples and they did so.

Jesus said that the disciples should travel to Galilee and He would meet with them in that place.

Matthew's gospel also tells us that when Jesus came forth from the grave, many dead saints also arose from the grave, and walked into Jerusalem, and were seen by many people (See Matthew 27:52-53).

Brave Roman soldiers quaking with fear and falling down as if dead. 

Faithful women seeing the risen Savior. 

Dead saints walking around raised from the dead by the power of God. What a time of drama, perplexity and excitement it was!

Jewish elders bribed Roman soldiers to lie about what occurred.

Matthew 28:11-15  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. 12)  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13)  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14)  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15)  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 

As soon as they were recovered, Roman soldiers came to the chief priests to inform them of what happened.

All the elders determined to bribe the soldiers to say that Jesus' disciples stole His body at night. 

They promised to cover for them if Pontius Pilate raised any questions about it. 

Christ's disciples saw Him in Galilee and worshiped the Lord.

Matthew 28:16-17  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17)  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  

Matthew records that the eleven remaining disciples (Judas hanged himself) traveled to Galilee to a specific place where Jesus told them to go.

Next year, Lord willing, we will study Mark's gospel account of Christ's resurrection.

However, the other gospels tell us some disciples did not initially believe the report from those faithful women. 

Matthew simply tells us that they did eventually go where Jesus told them to go.

Those disciples who first saw Jesus worshiped Him but others who were not present had doubts, including Thomas (see John 20). 

Matthew's resurrection account concludes with Jesus giving the Great Commission. 

Jesus declares His universal power and authority over heaven and earth.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Jesus spoke to those men who would become His apostles and be responsible to preach the gospel.

He declared that all power in heaven and earth now belonged to the resurrected Son of God. 

His heavenly Father committed all judgment and authority and power to His risen, obedient Son.

He highly exalted Christ and gave Him a name higher than any other name. 

Seeing Jesus alive from the dead and hearing that all power was granted to Him, surely encouraged the disciples to fulfill the mission Christ gave them to complete. 

Christ gave His disciples the Great Commission to evangelize the world.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20)  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. 

Notice that this gospel has a global reach. It is good news for all people in the world.

All nations are to hear this gospel of Christ. 

People of all races, ethnicity, status and citizenship must hear the gospel so that they have an opportunity to respond with repentant faith in Christ.

Some people say that certain races, certain nations, or those of certain religions cannot be born again.

Listen to what Christ said. "Go to all nations preaching and teaching the gospel."

All who hear and heed the gospel should be baptized by water immersion in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. 

God is not a respecter of any person's status or achievement's. 

Every one of us is born as a sinner, separated from God, and without spiritual life.

The whole world is guilty of sin, worthy of receiving death and eternal condemnation.

Yet, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, taking our place on the cross, receiving the wages of our sins (See Romans 5:1-11).

He died as God's Perfect Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (See John 1:29-34; 3:15-18). 

This glorious gospel declares that all who repent of their sins and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, shall be saved (See Romans 10:5-17).

Thus, Jesus commands us to go into every nation to preach and teach the gospel and to baptize all who respond with faith.

We are to teach all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to know and obey HIs commandments.

Where can we find the commandments Christ gave? All four gospels tell us about them. 

In addition, Christ spoke to us through His apostles, and their letters convey Christ's commandments.

Matthew's resurrection account ends with the promise from Jesus that He will be with us wherever we go preaching the gospel.

Our Father in heaven keeps sending His Word in this blog around the whole world.

My prayer is that there are sinners who read the Word, hear the gospel and respond with repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that these simple lessons will be used to help new Christians become grounded and settled in their faith.

My prayer is that God's Word will strengthen His servants who have become weary in well doing.

May this be a most blessed celebration of Christ's resurrection for each one of us.

Bob