Matthew 28:1–10, 16–20

Explore the Bible
Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

Believe in the Risen Lord

Matthew 28:1–10, 16–20
For many adults, “Easter” means no more than “spring holiday.” Christians by definition express some belief in the resurrection. They may not have thought through the evidence for the resurrection. Their faith may be secondhand or based on subjective experience. All these adults, like the women at the tomb and the disciples, can consider the evidence presented by the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances as good reasons to believe in Jesus’ resurrection.

Consider the Empty Tomb (1–4)
The women who had lingered at the cross came to Jesus’ tomb early, as day was dawning, on Sunday, the first day of the week. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the Less. They were bringing spices to anoint Jesus’ body (Luke 24:1). They expected to find Jesus dead just as they had left His body on the previous Friday evening at sunset. Suddenly several astonishing events happened. As an earthquake occurred, an angel appeared and supernaturally rolled back the heavy stone that was blocking the entrance to the tomb. He did this not to let Jesus out but to let in the women and later the apostles (v. 6). Then the angel sat on the stone. 

The sudden appearance of the angel, at the same time the women arrived, is the first clue that something extraordinary was happening. The empty tomb points to Jesus’ bodily resurrection.

Recall What Jesus Predicted (5–7)
The angel reassured the women that they had nothing to fear. In fact, the angel knew exactly why the women had come to the tomb — they were looking for the body of the crucified and dead Jesus. These women, as well as the disciples, did not expect Jesus to be alive. 

The angel then spoke the words that compose the foundation of Christianity: “He is not here! For He has been resurrected just as He said.” The resurrection of Jesus is the great truth that lies at base of Christianity. The words “just as He said” look back to Jesus’ predictions of His death (Matt. 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:17–19). The implication is that if He did not rise on the third day, then He was not truly a prophet of God, much less the Son of God. The angel then invited the women into the tomb to see that it was empty.

After the angel had presented the evidence that Jesus was alive, he gave them some instructions for the disciples. The women were to go quickly and tell the disciples with these specific words, “He has been raised from the dead,” and He will precede them into Galilee and meet them there. Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled His own predictions that He would be raised.

Reflect on the Risen Lord’s Appearances (8–10)
Having been given a good news task, the women hurried away to tell the disciples what had happened. Suddenly Jesus met them with a greeting. When they heard His voice, they recognized Him immediately, fell at His feet and worshipped Him. Jesus repeated the instructions for the disciples to meet Him in Galilee. Matthew recorded Jesus’ supreme post-resurrection appearance in Galilee, where Jesus was seen by more than 500 believers at once (1 Cor. 15:4–6). The Galilean ministry of Jesus is prominent in Matthew’s Gospel and it would be natural for Jesus to meet His disciples there. All 11 disciples were from Galilee and would be returning to Galilee after the Passover Feast. Jesus’ appearances and messages to the women can be explained only by His resurrection.

Think About the Church’s Growth (16–20)
The closing section of this week’s lesson features the Great Commission, God’s marching orders. 

The church’s continued numeral and spiritual growth is further evidence of Jesus’ resurrection and lordship.