Matthew 28:1–17

Explore the Bible
Professor of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

THE LORD IS ALIVE
Matthew 28:1–17
People often devise reasons to justify almost anything they want to believe or do. They have made up their minds and don’t want to be confused by the facts. Some dismiss the biblical record about Jesus’ death and resurrection and the salvation He offers. They describe it as myth or superstition. Nevertheless persuasive factual evidence undercuts such false preconceptions and conclusions. The Scriptures, changed lives and the incredible spread of Christianity witness to the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. God wants all people to hear the gospel, place their faith in the Lord Jesus and worship Him daily.

Recognize the Abysmal Failure (1–4)
Jesus’ resurrection occurred on Sunday, the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday. Some of the women who were followers of Jesus came, in the early dawn, to His tomb. What they discovered was astounding. An earthquake occurred as they approached. On arriving, they saw the Roman soldiers who had been guarding the tomb lying unconscious on the ground and an angel, in brilliant light, sitting on the stone used to close the entrance to the tomb. The tomb was open and empty. The purpose for removing the stone from the entrance was not to let Jesus out but to let the women see that the tomb was vacant. The stunned incapacity of the guards who had been assigned to secure the tomb against anyone stealing His body was extraordinary. The guards’ failure to keep Jesus in the tomb is an excellent reason to believe in His resurrection and worship Him above all earthly authority. 

Consider the Angelic Announcement (5–7)
The angel had two sets of instructions for the women. The first was to calm their fears and verify Jesus’ resurrection. The women looked into the empty tomb and saw that Jesus had come back alive just as He said He would (John 10:18). The remarkable news on resurrection Sunday was (and still is) “He is not here, for He has risen.”

The second message was that the women were to report to the disciples Jesus’ resurrection and that He would meet them in Galilee as He had said (Matt. 26:32). The angel announced Jesus’ resurrection to the women, showed them the empty tomb and told them to report these facts to the disciples and tell them where to meet Jesus. The women’s witness and the empty tomb are excellent reasons for believing in His resurrection and thus worshiping Him as the risen Lord.

Reflect on the Authenticating Appearance (8–10)
Jesus authenticated the angel’s announcement by appearing to the women as they were on their way to the disciples. They were filled with joy and fell on their faces, worshiping Him. In fact, they touched His feet as they worshiped. Then He told them exactly the same directions the angel had given them. Jesus would meet His disciples in Galilee. The women’s encounter with the risen Lord Jesus is another reason to believe in His resurrection and worship Him as the living Lord.

Analyze the Authorities’ Motives (11–15)
To obscure the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, the religious leaders were determined to discount any possible report that He had risen from the dead. They paid the guards to say His disciples had stolen His body, and the leaders assured the guards that they would not be punished for their dereliction of duty. The effort of Jesus’ enemies to hide the truth of His resurrection is another excellent reason to believe in it and worship Him as the Lord of truth. 

Make the Right Choice (16–17)
The disciples met Jesus in Galilee and worshiped Him, but some doubted He was Jesus alive from the dead. This seems strange that there was doubt even among the disciples. But it may be they were only uncertain until He arrived. When given the biblical evidence and personal testimonies of believers that the Lord lives and saves today, each of us has the opportunity to choose to receive Him as Savior and worship Him daily as Lord.