April 21 – Called to Believe the Resurrection

Sunday School Lesson

April 21

Lesson 8 (KJV)

Called to Believe the Resurrection

 

Devotional Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12–22

Background Scripture: Matthew 28:1–15

 

Matthew 28:1–15

1. 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.

 

11. 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.

Key Verse

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.—Matthew 28:10

 

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Retell Matthew’s record of the discovery of the empty tomb.

 

2. Compare and contrast the reactions of those who became aware that Jesus’ body was missing.

 

3. Prepare a testimony based on the truth of the resurrected Jesus.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Bethlehem	Beth-lih-hem.
Caesar	See-zer.
Galilee	Gal-uh-lee.
Gethsemane	Geth-sem-uh-nee (G as in get).
Judas Iscariot	Joo-dus Iss-care-ee-ut.
Magdalene	Mag-duh-leen or Mag-duh-lee-nee.
Pharisees	Fair-ih-seez.
Pilate	Pie-lut.
Sadducees	Sad-you-seez.
Sanhedrin	San-huh-drun or San-heed-run.
sepulchre	sep-ul-kur.

Introduction

1. The Greatest Discovery

An online search for the 10 most significant discoveries in history reveals many lists. Most include breakthroughs in the field of medicine—development of antibiotics such as penicillin, etc. Eventually, however, death comes to everyone (Hebrews 9:27). That is why the greatest discovery of all time happened on the day we celebrate as Easter Sunday.

The great discovery that was made by those who came to Jesus’ tomb after His crucifixion was the absence of something: Jesus’ body. Never before and not since that morning has the absence of something conveyed such a profound message. Today’s lesson introduces us to that message.

 

1. Lesson Context

The events in last week’s text from Matthew occurred at a point when the Jewish religious leaders were plotting to arrest Jesus. But they did not want to create a public disturbance by doing so (Matthew 26:3–5). To their delight, the leaders found among Jesus’ disciples an ally for the scheme: Judas Iscariot (26:14–16).

After the Passover meal, Jesus led His disciples from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane. That was a place to which He had brought them often. Therefore the location was known to Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus there (Matthew 26:47; John 18:1–3). There followed the series of appearances before the Jewish ruling council (the Sanhedrin; see last week’s Lesson Context) and Pilate that resulted in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Of the four Gospel writers, only Matthew records the concern of the chief priests and Pharisees that Jesus’ disciples might attempt to steal His corpse. Their concern was based on being aware of the claim of “that deceiver” that He would rise from the dead. A missing body meant that a resurrection could be claimed. Therefore the chief priests and Pharisees recommended to Pilate that steps be taken to ensure against such a hoax (Matthew 27:62–66). Pilate agreed. The results of that effort are considered in today’s lesson.

All four Gospels record the actions of devoted women who returned to Jesus’ tomb to honor Him after His death. We say “returned” because they had been there when Jesus’ body was interred (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Their intent was to finish the hurried job started by two others (John 19:38–41) in anointing His body with various preparations (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:55, 56; compare 2 Chronicles 16:14).

 

1. Amazing Sight

(Matthew 28:1–4)

1. Women’s Arrival (v. 1)
2. 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.

 

In the end of the sabbath means that the Sabbath had passed (compare Mark 16:1). The first day of the week is what we call Sunday.

There are several women named Mary in the New Testament, and it’s easy to get them mixed up. The designation Magdalene is not a last name, but indicates a village she comes from that is located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (compare Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2).

The other Mary is likely “the mother of James and Joses” (Matthew 27:56). The parallel accounts designate “the mother of James” (Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:10). If we combine Matthew 13:55; 27:56; and Mark 15:40, 47, then this Mary may be the mother of Jesus, but this is not certain. For the women’s intention in coming to see the sepulchre, see the Lesson Context.

 

What Do You Think? What demonstrations of devotion to Jesus will you help newer believers adopt as their own?   Digging Deeper Should personality characteristics play a role in your helping attempts? Why, or why not?

1. Angel’s Actions (vv. 2, 3)
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.

 

An earthquake occurred at the moment of Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:50, 51); now one takes place as part of the unfolding drama here. Matthew is the only Gospel writer to record them. These are supernatural temblors, a sign of the activity and presence of God (compare Isaiah 29:6).

Angels have already appeared at crucial occasions during the life and ministry of Jesus: His birth (Luke 2:8–14), His temptation (Matthew 4:11), and at Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). The heavy stone that the angel of the Lord moves indicates that the tomb has been carved out of a rocky hillside (Matthew 27:57, 60). Such stones seal the entrances to tombs.

 

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

 

Such a description as this is fitting for a being whom the previous verse says has “descended from heaven”! The brightness of both the angel’s countenance (face) and raiment (clothing) is reminiscent of how Jesus appeared at His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1, 2).

 

1. Guards’ Alarm (v. 4)
2. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The keepers (guards) stationed at the tomb experience both the sight of the angel of the Lord and the sudden terror of the earthquake. They shake as much as the earth does! The overall shock of what they witness leaves them paralyzed with fear or unconscious. The phrase they became as dead mendoes not mean they actually died, because some of them report the stunning series of events to the religious leaders in Jerusalem (Matthew 28:11, below).

 

1. Assuring Words

(Matthew 28:5–7)

1. News to Hear (vv. 5, 6)
2. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

This is not the only place in the Bible where those to whom an angel appears are encouraged to fear not (compare: Genesis 21:17; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10). Since angelic appearances are sudden and unexpected, this greeting is certainly appropriate.

We can note, however, that there was no message of “fear not” to the guards of Matthew 27:65, 66); the angel’s intention for them is the opposite. By contrast, the angel carries out a ministry of comforting assurance to the bewildered women by affirming awareness of their mission to Jesus, which was crucified and buried.

Luke 24:4 records the appearance of “two men … in shining garments,” later described as “angels” (24:23). Matthew chooses to include only the angel who speaks to the women.

6a. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

This is the grand announcement. The reminder as he said refers to Matthew 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:17–19. The fact of Jesus’ resurrection fulfills the promise of a sign to the skeptics who demanded one (see 12:38–40).

No Doubt About the Tomb

Several years ago, I went with about a dozen friends on a guided tour of the Middle East. We visited the usual tourist sites, both secular and sacred. We saw Jewish sites such as the Wailing Wall. We visited Islam’s Dome of the Rock, the golden-domed seventh-century edifice on the site of Solomon’s temple.

I was more drawn to places that reminded me of Jesus’ time among us. The olive groves of Gethsemane held special meaning for me, as did the area surrounding the Sea of Galilee. As significant as those places were to me, it was my reaction to the Garden Tomb that caught me by surprise.

I knew before seeing the tomb that is usually shown to tourists that it was likely not the one briefly occupied by Jesus’ body. But seeing a place where His body conceivably could have lain triggered my imagination: my mind’s eye pictured the moment when the Lord’s followers first realized that He had risen.

We may not know into which tomb Jesus’ body was placed, but the eyewitnesses did! As I stood in front of a tomb in Jerusalem, I was moved by the knowledge that the angel’s words were and are true. If you’re not convinced, what evidence would you have to have to change your mind?

—C. R. B.

6b. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The women had seen a dead body lain in this rock-hewn grave (Matthew 27:60, 61). Now they are invited to witness the absence of that body. Can we really understand how dumbfounded the women must be as they hear the angel speak? Jesus was dead, but now He is not. The women’s quest for a dead Jesus has become pointless.

 

What Do You Think? How can you better prepare yourself to offer evidence for the fact that Christ rose from the dead? Why is it important to do so?   Digging Deeper Watch an online video by J. Warner Wallace to learn how a homicide detective approaches these questions. Compare and contrast your approach with his.

1. News to Tell (v. 7)

7a. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.

The “come, see” of the previous verse gives way to the go … tell we see here. The women had arrived as seekers (Matthew 28:1–5, above). They then transitioned from seekers to finders (28:6, above)—but finding something better than expected. Now they must make the transition from finders to tellers. When it comes to knowledge of Jesus, there’s no such thing as God’s being content with those who never progress out of the seeker stage.

Time will tell whether the disciples will believe the women’s testimony. According to the Jewish historian Josephus (AD 37–100), women of that time are not allowed to testify in court (Antiquities,4.8.15). The affirmation by angels of the women’s role thus flies in the face of a first-century practice. The first witnesses to the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection are indeed women.

While the women seek the tomb as soon as enough daylight allows, the 11 disciples are still cowering in fear behind locked doors. They fear retribution at the hands of the same men who crucified Jesus (John 20:19).

 

7b. And, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

These phrases repeat and reinforce Jesus’ promise in Matthew 26:32 and Mark 14:28 that He is to go before the disciples into Galilee.

 

III. Astonishing Appearance

(Matthew 28:8–10)

1. Moving Quickly (v. 8)
2. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

 

Both the fear and the great joy of the women are easy to imagine. It is no wonder that they run to tell the disciples (also John 20:2). Mark 16:8 puts this in even stronger terms: “They went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre.” Such a mixture of emotions is only fitting for the astounding news the women now bear.

 

What Do You Think? Who among your acquaintances is ready to hear the message that Jesus is risen? What will cause them to be receptive?   Digging Deeper How do you know when a slower, more measured approach in sharing this message is better than a faster, more exuberant approach?

1. Meeting Jesus (vv. 9, 10)
2. 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.

 

The women’s surprises are not finished. Before they can complete the task of telling Jesus’ disciples, they meet Jesus himself. We are told nothing about Jesus’ appearance, but we can see that the women recognize Him. Their worshipful response is understandable.

To grasp Jesus by the feet means that the women are on their knees. As speculation, perhaps they are trying to convince themselves that they are not hallucinating. Can this be the same Jesus whom they had known and worshipped prior to His death? Yes, He is the same Jesus: once crucified, now alive.

An ironic touch lies in Jesus’ greeting All hail. The Greek word behind this translation is the same word translated “hail” of the soldiers’ mocking worship (Matthew 27:29) and of Judas betraying Jesus before that (26:49).

 

10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Jesus’ words of comfort and instruction mirror those of the angel. A distinction is noted in Jesus’ referring to the disciples as my brethren. This indicates the special closeness that still exists despite their recent desertion (compare Matthew 26:56; John 20:17).

Naturally, these men plan to return home to Galilee anyway. But now there is incentive for speed: the promise of seeing Jesus back there. Even so, the trip back to Galilee does not begin for several days (John 20:26).

 

1. Arranged Cover-up

(Matthew 28:11–15)

1. Guards’ Concern (v. 11)
2. 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.

 

Only Matthew records the report of the watch (soldiers) who were charged with guarding the tomb to keep the body in it (Matthew 27:66). They have failed. It may seem odd that the Roman guards do not report to Pilate, the Roman governor. But there are two reasons for reporting to the chief priestsinstead. First, the religious authorities were the ones given the authority by Pilate to post the guard and seal the tomb. The second is seen in verse 14, below.

 

1. Leaders’ Conspiracy (vv. 12–15)

12, 13. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

This is a meeting of the Jewish ruling council (compare Matthew 27:1). “The chief priests” of verse 11 are Sadducees, while the elders are Pharisees. Their successful plot to kill Jesus has not ended their “problem.” Now another problem has developed. As with Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:15), they use money as the “solution.” As with previous miracles of Jesus, the religious leaders cannot deny that something supernatural has occurred. So they resort to a paid-for lie to calm the aftershocks of the resurrection earthquake.

 

14. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

The first reason the soldiers report back to the council instead of Pilate is noted in verse 11, above. The verse before us gives us the second reason. Guards who fall asleep on duty or otherwise fail in their task are subject to execution (compare Acts 12:1–19). But the religious leaders assure the soldiers no negative consequences will befall them. Should Pilate hear of what has occurred, the leaders promise that they can and will protect the soldiers from suffering consequences. The religious leaders’ confidence that they can do so reflects the high degree of influence they have. Their influence was previously seen in successfully pressuring Pilate to crucify Jesus (John 19:12–16).

 

15a. So they took the money, and did as they were taught.

No voice of protest is recorded; the guards simply accept the payoff and do as told. Money now has been used to purchase both the betrayal of Jesus for His death (Matthew 26:15) and a lie about Jesus regarding His resurrection.

 

15b. And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Matthew’s Gospel is generally considered to be the earliest of the four Gospels. Scholars date its writing to about AD 50 (or perhaps even earlier). Thus the phrase until this day indicates that the lie has been circulating for some 20 years as Matthew writes.

This lie, this saying, falls apart immediately when we consider the eventual martyrdoms of the apostles. People are known to be willing to die the deaths of martyrs for two things: (1) for truth and (2) for a lie believed to be true. But people are not willing to die for a lie that they know is a lie. But that doesn’t stop twenty-first century skeptics from creating other theories to explain away the account of Jesus’ resurrection.

 

What Do You Think? How should responses to common misunderstandings of the gospel message differ from responses to biased misrepresentations?   Digging Deeper Distinguish between situations that call for no response (example: Mark 14:60, 61a) vs. an explanatory response (example: John 4:19–26) vs. a pushback response (example: Mark 12:18–27).

Truth Has a Way of Getting Out

Richard Nixon was the first president to resign from office. But many observers believe others should have done so as well. Innumerable politicians have seen their proverbial “skeletons in their closets” dangled in public view. Still they persist in secretive underhanded dealings and liaisons.

The Old Testament prophets often called Israel’s leaders to task for their sins. One of the most memorable of these rebukes is Nathan’s confrontation with David for the king’s involvement with Bathsheba and subsequent attempt at a cover-up via murder of her husband (2 Samuel 12:1–14).

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day failed to learn from history. Their conspiratorial cover-up was rooted in their vested interests as noted in John 11:48: “If we let [Jesus] thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” In the end, the efforts at killing Jesus and covering up His resurrection did not negate the threat of John 11:48. In AD 70, the Romans did indeed come. The ensuing siege and destruction of Jerusalem marked the end of “place and nation” of the Jewish leadership. The ruling council’s attempt to solve its problem by using falsehood in various ways (see Matthew 26:59; compare Acts 6:13) ultimately failed. Today, the truth is available for all to see.

The church’s explosive early growth suggests the liars ultimately end up fooling mainly themselves. Learn from the ruling council’s sinful errors! Truth still has a way of getting out. Stay alert for your chance to reveal the grace and truth of Jesus (see John 1:14, 17) to those who are under the spell of the world’s lies.

—C. R. B.

What Do You Think? Regarding the explanatory response in the previous question, how will you avoid shifting from “defending the faith” to being “defensive about the faith”?   Digging Deeper How do passages such as Daniel 3; Acts 24–26; 1 Corinthians 9:1–23; and 2 Corinthians 10–12 inform your answer?

Conclusion

1. No “Fake News”

The phrase “fake news” became a part of the vocabulary during the 2016 American presidential campaign. Certain news outlets were accused of creating stories that had no basis in fact in order to further an agenda. Christians may similarly be accused of propagating “fake news” regarding the resurrection of Jesus. The idea is that Christians accept on faith something that cannot be proven to be an actual event of history.

But the resurrection can be proven true, as this lesson has demonstrated. Yet getting people to see the truth can be a slow process. This calls for prayer and patience. Even Jesus’ own disciples were not convinced at first. When the women reported to the disciples what they had found and not found at Jesus’ tomb, “Their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not” (Luke 24:11). The apostle Thomas (in)famously declared, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

Why would men who were slow to believe news of a resurrection end up trying to make it appear as though one had happened if it had not? No one, neither the women nor the disciples, was anticipating that Jesus would arise. They were not spending the days following His death planning how they could perpetrate a hoax on the public.

Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:20 is the one that followers of Jesus gladly embrace and proclaim: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” Fake news—no; actual news—absolutely!

1. Prayer

Father, how thankful we are that on this Easter Sunday and every day we can celebrate the triumph of Jesus over death. Use us to change hearts and minds with this good news of a risen Savior. We pray this in His name. Amen.

1. Thought to Remember

We serve a risen Savior!

 

 

KID’S CORNER

Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus

April 21, 2019

Matthew 28:1-15

 

Matthew 28:1-15

(Matthew 28:1) Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

After the Sabbath, on Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. This fact led to the disciples and early Christians meeting together weekly on Sunday, “the first day of the week” (see Mark 16:9; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Each Sunday in early Christian worship, believers broke bread (perhaps meaning they celebrated the Lord’s Supper), perhaps received a collection of money or other gifts (for the widows, orphans, the poor, and to support apostles and missionaries), heard the scriptures read (probably including the Old Testament, gospel portions, and letters from the apostles), and taught or discussed the scriptures. Early in the morning, the women went to care for the entombed body of Jesus. They did not expect to see Him raised from the dead. The “other Mary” was probably the mother of James and John. If the “other Mary” were Jesus’ mother, Matthew most likely would have identified her as Jesus’ mother, who would be grieving.

(Matthew 28:2) And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

The earthquake was explained by the coming of the angel to roll away the stone door in front of the tomb (a cave cut from rock) for the women to enter. The angel then sat on the stone, remaining at the tomb entrance. The angel did not come to let Jesus out of the tomb (as Jesus had the stone rolled away for Lazarus to come out of the tomb alive when He called Lazarus to come out). The women found the tomb empty. They did not see Jesus walk out of the tomb when the angel rolled away the stone. Jesus had passed through the solid stone; just as He would later pass through walls or a closed door to appear to His disciples who were fearfully hiding in a locked room (see John 20:19).

(Matthew 28:3) And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

The angel appeared to both the guards and the women. The women were not confused about where Jesus was buried or the location of His tomb (see Matthew 27:61). The guards reacted with fear, similar to the guards’ terrified response when Jesus died on the cross and there was an earthquake (see Matthew 27:54). The Bible says we can entertain angels unawares (see Hebrews 13:2). In the case of Jesus’ resurrection, both the guards and the women were aware of the angel coming to the tomb to open it, and they were overwhelmed at his appearing.

(Matthew 28:4) The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

The Roman guards had both a physical and mental reaction to the angel. Rather than bravely standing their ground as they had been taught and challenging the angel over his interference, they shook with fear and fell to the ground. Perhaps they had learned from the guards at the crucifixion (or were they the same guards?) that Jesus was the Son of God, so they expected immediate execution from an angry God at the hands of the angel. The guards collapsed unconscious, and the women witnessed their response to the angel’s visitation. The women remained aware of all that was happening around them, and they would later report what they saw.

(Matthew 28:5) The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

The angel disregarded the unconscious guards and sought to comfort the women who had come to honor Jesus by caring for His dead body (as they supposed) according to their burial practices. The angel reinforced the fact that Jesus had indeed been crucified; that in fact He had died, and He had been buried at that exact location where the angel appeared. The women were right to come there looking for Jesus, but they were not accurate in their thinking, because they expected to find Jesus still dead. They had not understood what Jesus had taught about His death and His resurrection from the dead.

(Matthew 28:6) “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

The angel corrected their thinking and invited them to become witnesses regarding the empty tomb. He declared that they would not find Jesus’ body, because Jesus had been raised (though at one time Jesus had been laid in the new empty tomb, in which no other body had ever been laid). Jesus’ resurrection had occurred sometime prior that morning, prior to the opening of the tomb by the angel and the earthquake. The angel’s perfect timing made it possible for the women to see the guards guarding the tomb, experience the earthquake, and see the stone rolled away before they entered the tomb. There could be no confusion or doubt about someone having come to the tomb earlier to remove Jesus’ body.

(Matthew 28:7) “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

After the women saw where Jesus had been laid and the angel once again emphasized that Jesus had been dead and had been raised from the dead, the angel told them that Jesus also had the ability to travel to Galilee (He had not just been resuscitated, which would have required months of rehabilitation after being crucified and put into a tomb without proper medical treatment). To overcome His disciples’ unbelief, Jesus would later need to demonstrate His fully human resurrected glorified powers by appearing to them in a locked room to convince them that He was alive and well and that they should travel to Galilee to see Him again as He had told them.

(Matthew 28:8) And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

The women believed the angel because he was no ordinary man. His appearance was as lightning, his clothes were snow white, he had defeated the Roman guards, and miracles accompanied his appearing. They witnessed the guards fall in fear. They witnessed the empty tomb. They witnessed the earthquake and the earthquake’s perfect timing. They witnessed the angel roll the stone away without the help of other angels or people. Presumably, the disciples felt the great earthquake where they were in hiding, and the women could explain the cause of the earthquake. The women could give good and sufficient reasons for the disciples to believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead, but the disciples were foolish and slow to believe (see Luke 24:25-26).

(Matthew 28:9) And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.

Jesus became the second and ultimate witness that He had been raised from the dead. The Bible teaches the need for two witnesses in case of a trial. Two witnesses to an event should be believed if they are known to be trustworthy. Faithful Jews feared God, and they knew that witnesses would be held accountable by God for bearing false witness or lying. In addition to the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection, both the angel and the living, resurrected Lord Jesus bore witness to the fact that Jesus had been raised from the dead. At this point in time, the women worshiped Jesus as would all those in the early Christian church. Jesus received their worship as was His right as the Son of God. Angels and apostles (no matter what miracles they worked) always refused the worship of those they impressed; saying only God deserved and should be worshiped. Jesus did not refuse to be worshiped. He willingly received the worship of others as God, because He is God—One God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

(Matthew 28:10) Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

This was the second time that the women were told not to be afraid. Though Jesus is the Son of God, He called His disciples “brothers” (see also Hebrews 2:11). He reaffirmed what the angel told the women. Again, the women now have two witnesses to the command that the disciples are to go to Galilee where they will see Jesus alive. The command was given to them twice by two different persons (the angel and Jesus). Obedience to this command would become a test for the disciples, and they failed the test by refusing to believe and remaining in the locked room until Jesus appeared to them to convince them He was raised from the dead—which also gives us more good reasons to believe that the facts presented regarding Jesus’ resurrection are true. The disciples were hard to convince, and only seeing Jesus alive would convince them that He had been raised from the dead.

(Matthew 28:11) Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.

The women went to reveal the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to His disciples as He commanded. The guards went to reveal the “bad news” (from their perspective) to the people responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion and death. They felt the earthquake, and presumably so did the chief priests and the Roman authorities, for the earthquake was great. The guards saw the angel and the empty tomb, and they reported all of this to the religious authorities. The religious authorities were given the facts, but they chose to ignore the facts and began to spread a lie about Jesus and His disciples. Beginning with the preaching of the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, their lies were easily refuted and thousands came to believe in Jesus the Messiah.

(Matthew 28:12) And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

The elders of the people were convinced by the facts the soldiers presented to them, but just as they had lied and borne false witness to crucify Jesus, one who was innocent, so they bribed and implicated the guards in bearing false witness regarding His resurrection. To avoid being held responsible by the people for the death of the Son of God, and for other reasons, they bribed the soldiers (another crime by the religious leaders) to join in their lying schemes.

(Matthew 28:13) and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’

The lie that the religious leaders devised is highly implausible. The disciples’ hopes were crushed when Jesus died. They went into hiding. They would not venture out of hiding for fear of those who had crucified their leader. But the women did go to Jesus’ grave. The disciples were hiding in fear that they would be found and crucified too, as rebels, to satisfy the blood lust of the religious leaders. The women went to embalm Jesus’ body. None of Jesus’ followers had any reason to steal His body or try to concoct a fraud that would lead to their certain deaths. Jesus’ dead body could not have protected them if they had stolen His body. Everything the Bible teaches about Jesus’ death and resurrection and the response of the religious leaders and the disciples is plausible and consistent with the Old Testament prophecies, Jesus’ prophecies, and the teaching and miracles that Jesus performed during His ministry. Jesus’ disciples certainly would not have had the courage to steal Jesus’ body or fight armed Roman guards to steal a body. They would never have taken the chance of awakening the Roman guards while they slept as they tried to quietly roll away a heavy stone from the door of the tomb. How could the Roman guards have stayed asleep while a stone was rolled away? They also knew that if they slept, they would be killed by the Romans for failure to do their duty (see Acts 16:27).

(Matthew 28:14) “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”

Everyone knew that Roman guards are punished for failure to do their duty. Their excuse should have resulted in their execution. So, the religious leaders determined to accomplish their scheme by plotting with the governor or lying to him to keep the guards alive and lying. Still, everyone would have known that the guards should have been executed. Why weren’t they executed, people might ask. The guards needed the leaders to protect them as they lied about the disappearance of Jesus’ body for them. If they had not been bribed and protected by the Jewish leaders, to try to escape punishment for dereliction of duty the guards would have had to tell the truth about the angel at the tomb, which would not have been believed.

(Matthew 28:15) And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

Even today, various atheists and other religious teachers promote the story concocted by these religious leaders (or some variation of the story) in their efforts to deny the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This is another Bible prophecy that has been fulfilled. For almost 2,000 years since the gospel of Matthew was written “this story is still told among the Jews to this day.”

 

Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus

April 21, 2019

Matthew 28:1-15

 

“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it” (Matthew 28:2).

 

Matthew reported two earthquakes in his gospel. The first occurred the moment Jesus died on the cross. Matthew wrote, “The earth shook and the rocks were split.” He also reported, “Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” (Matthew 27:51, 54). Matthew described the second earthquake as “a great earthquake,” which occurred the moment an angel descended and rolled back the stone that sealed Jesus’ tomb. The angel and the earthquake terrified these Roman guards also. Perhaps God timed the earthquakes so people could easily remember and report the times of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Probably everyone in and near Jerusalem felt these earthquakes, and Jesus’ disciples could easily explain the reasons for their timing. The angel descended and opened the tomb so the women could see that Jesus’ tomb was empty—not to let Jesus out of the tomb, as Jesus had the tomb of Lazarus opened before He called him forth alive. Jesus’ resurrection transfigured His body so He could pass through solid stonewalls or appear in a locked room to His disciples. When Jesus rose from the dead, He was the first person with a human body to die and then rise with an imperishable body. After forty days, He ascended to heaven in glory and power. The Apostle Paul also saw the risen Savior, and he wrote that those who follow Jesus will receive a spiritual body like Jesus’ body (1 Corinthians 15:42-58).

 

 

Thinking Further

Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus

April 21, 2019

Matthew 28:1-15

Name _____________________________________

 

1. Give some of the reasons you personally believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

 

 

 

2. What is the most compelling reason you can think of for believing in the resurrection of Jesus from these verses in Matthew 28?

 

 

3. What other reasons can you give for believing in the resurrection of Jesus, either from other parts of the Bible, the experience of others, or your own personal experience?

 

 

4. The Bible, along with an old hymn, teach that Jesus lives within our hearts. What difference does Jesus make when He comes to live within our hearts?

 

 

5. Why is the resurrection of Jesus important as part of the good news?

 

 

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further

1. Give some of the reasons you personally believe in the resurrection of Jesus. I know the Bible is true, and I believe what the Bible teaches. I have seen many Old Testament prophecies and Jesus’ prophecies fulfilled in the Bible and in history. I have seen the prayers of many people answered.

 

2. What is the most compelling reason you can think of for believing in the resurrection of Jesus from these verses in Matthew 28? The number of witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection: two women saw the angel, the empty tomb, and Jesus. The angel and Jesus both told the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they would see Him alive. If He had not been raised from the dead, He could not have appeared to them or to His disciples in Galilee. If He had only been resuscitated, the women could not have seen Jesus as a completely healthy beautiful person. He could not have gone to Galilee to see the disciples without a lengthy rehabilitation.

 

3. What other reasons can you give for believing in the resurrection of Jesus, either from other parts of the Bible, the experience of others, or your own personal experience? The disciples were difficult to convince, and they personally had to see Jesus to believe He had risen from the dead. The summary of some of Jesus’ resurrection appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 shows He appeared to a great number of people at different times. Jesus answers prayers, so we know He is raised and seated at the right hand of God the Father.

 

4. The Bible, along with an old hymn, teach that Jesus lives within our hearts. What difference does Jesus make when He comes to live within our hearts? Jesus helps us do what is right and He gives us wisdom and understanding beyond mere human knowledge and reasoning. Through the Holy Spirit, He helps us understand the Bible better when we study, and He helps us apply what we learn from the Bible. He cleanses us from sin, removes our guilt, and gives us assurance of His love as our Friend.

 

5. Why is the resurrection of Jesus important as part of the good news? As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14-19, “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

 

 

Word Search

Matthew 28:1-15

Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus

April 21, 2019

Matthew 28:1-15

Name __________________________________

 

D L C G L I V J O Y I P N Z S

R U M K E Z G I E R U T G W A

O R F S G U N F U N B M H Z B

L X I C N M A G D A L E N E B

C V W S A B J Q Z E F H W K A

F B K S E P C E A I T Z D S T

Y S A Z U N M R S O Q E Q T H

E R O K E S T G M U I L F O G

F H A R V H E B K F S U G N A

P U S M Q X R J I Y I N X E L

I W P U Z W H C G U A R D S I

F J A J Y X U O H T D J L A L

Z K Y H E R N P U M Z Y E F E

E T W R C F C Y E N O M L B E

I N A S G N I T E E R G Y F H

 

Sabbath

Mary

Magdalene

Tomb

Earthquake

Angel

Lord

Stone

Guards

Jesus

Crucified

Risen

Galilee

Greetings

Money

 

 

True and False Test

Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus

April 21, 2019

Matthew 28:1-15

Name —————————————————

 

Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.

 

1. When the women told the disciples to go to Galilee to meet Jesus, they left Jerusalem immediately after breakfast. True or False

 

2. After Jesus rose from the dead, He first appeared to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. True or False

 

3. Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus’ mother when she went to His tomb to grieve on Sunday afternoon. True or False

 

4. Jesus rose from the dead early on the Sabbath. True or False

 

5. The guards fell dead when lightning struck them. True or False

 

6. An angel rolled away the stone to let the women into Jesus’ tomb. True or False

 

7. When the women first saw Jesus they fainted in fear. True or False

 

8. Jesus called His disciples His brothers. True or False

 

9. The priests found some unemployed guards and gave them some money to tell lies about Jesus and His disciples. True or False

 

10. The angel at the tomb had clothing white as snow. True or False

 

 

True and False Test

Answers

1. False
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. False

     10.True

 

 Prayer

Father, how thankful we are that on this Easter Sunday and every day we can celebrate the triumph of Jesus over death. Use us to change hearts and minds with this good news of a risen Savior. We pray this in His name. Amen.