Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 8 (KJV)
FREEDOM IN THE KING
DEVOTIONAL READING: John 8:31–38
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: John 8:31–38
JOHN 8:31–38
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
KEY TEXT
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.—John 8:36
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the two referred to as “Father” and “father.”
2. Explain the nature of the freedom available in the Son.
3. Create a list of ways to continue abiding in Jesus.
HOW TO SAY IT
Abrahamic
Ay-bruh-ham-ik.
Mishna
Mish-nuh.
Siloam
Sigh-lo-um.
synoptic
sih-nawp-tihk.
Tishri
Tish-ree.
I. Introduction
A. Freedom Day
April 27, 1994. For many South Africans, this date marked a new reality and brought a new expression of freedom. On this date the first post-apartheid national election was held. For the first time in decades, all South Africans of voting age were eligible to vote, regardless of their ethnic heritage or skin color. During the apartheid era, indigenous peoples and people of color lacked the freedom to vote. Further, apartheid placed overt segregationist restrictions on non-white citizens of South Africa. Even in their own country, non-white South Africans were not free to live full and flourishing lives.
By the early 1990s, after 50 years of discriminatory and unjust practices, negotiations between governing parties began the long process of undoing apartheid-era restrictions. One result of the negotiations was free elections. On April 27, 1994, millions of newly enfranchised South Africans voted for a new government and, therefore, a freer vision of life. Freedom Day serves to remind South Africans of the decades-long quest for equality and the desire for all South Africans to experience freedom.
Freedom can be looked at from at least four angles: (1) those who have freedom, and they know it; (2) those who lack freedom, and they know it; (3) those who have freedom, but they don’t realize it; and (4) those who lack freedom, but they don’t know it. Various forms of the words freedom, liberty, and their synonyms occur dozens of times in the New Testament, indicating the importance of the topic. We need to know which of the four categories we’re in spiritually.
B. Lesson Context
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called synoptic. This designation implies that these Gospels tell the story of Jesus from similar perspectives. (For an example of these similarities, compare Matthew 24:4–8; Mark 13:5–8; and Luke 21:8–11.)
However, John’s Gospel is different. While telling the same basic story of Jesus, John often includes material not found in the synoptic Gospels (example: Jesus’ “Bread of Heaven Discourse” in John 6:25–59). In other instances John omits material found in the synoptic Gospels (example: Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew 17:1–9; Mark 9:2–13; and Luke 9:28–36).
Today’s Scripture text is an example of the former. The synoptics Gospels do not mention Jesus’ teaching found in John 7–9. That John’s Gospel has different emphases than the synoptics does not mean that John cannot be trusted. Just as different observers might have dissimilar yet accurate retellings of the same event, John’s depiction provides a different yet complementary perspective on Jesus’ person and work.
John’s Gospel notes the special relationship he had with Jesus (see John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20). Further John was one of three witnesses to Jesus’ transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36). John was among the closest of Jesus’ disciples—he had a front-row seat to Jesus’ person and work. Therefore, John’s attestation can be trusted (see John 21:24).
Today’s Scripture passage is a part of a longer discourse that took place in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (see John 7:2, 10, 14). The observance was one of Israel’s most important celebrations and dated to the time of Moses (see Leviticus 23:33–36, 39–43; Numbers 29:12–34; Deuteronomy 16:13–17; 31:10).
The feast began on the 15th day of the month of Tishri, which is in late September or early October. Its significance was twofold. First, it celebrated the end of the harvest season. Second, it commemorated God’s provision during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. After the Israelites left Egypt, but before they entered the promised land, the people lived in tents. The celebration was to remind Israel of this history. Ultimately the feast thanked God for His daily provision.
The feast provided a backdrop for Jesus to express His divine identity by using items common in first-century observation: water and lamp light. During the feast, a priest took water from the Pool of Siloam, carried it to the temple, and poured it over the altar. On the feast’s final day the priest marched around the altar without pouring water. This act demonstrated hopeful expectation that the Messiah would provide water as had been promised centuries before (see Joel 3:18). On the feast’s seventh day, against this backdrop, Jesus stated, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).
Additionally, on each night of the feast, except on the Sabbath, giant oil lamps were lit in the temple’s Court of Women. It was against this backdrop that Jesus proclaimed himself to be “the light of the world” and that whoever followed Him “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus proclaimed himself to be the fulfillment of Israel’s messianic hope, speaking the words of His heavenly Father (see 8:28).
I. Jesus Speaks
(JOHN 8:31–32)
A. Word and Discipleship (v. 31)
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
The focus of Jesus’ teaching was on those Jews who had “believed on him” (John 7:31). Their belief was due, in part, to His pointed teaching (7:14, 46) and miraculous healing acts (7:21). However Jesus questioned whether they had true belief of “he that sent me … whom ye know not” (7:28). Did their belief go no deeper than simple amazement at His miraculous healing acts?
In the verse before us, Jesus established the way to distinguish proper belief from improper belief: only those who continued in His word were to be counted among His disciples indeed. Merely to be amazed at and respectful of His miraculous acts and brilliant teaching was not enough. The test of true and lasting belief was to be found in persistently following Jesus’ words, teachings, and commandments (see John 14:15, 21, 23; 1 John 2:4). Fickle faith in contrast to valid faith is a running theme in this Gospel (compare and contrast John 2:23–25; 4:48; 5:24; 6:60; 10:38; also 2 John 9; Revelation 2:26).
The Old Testament described Moses as Israel’s teacher (see Deuteronomy 4:1–2). Therefore, Jesus’ opponents claimed to be disciples of Moses (John 9:28–29). Their claim was appropriate—God spoke through Moses, so to be Moses’ disciple was to be God’s disciple. But now God had revealed himself more fully through Jesus, so to listen to the teachings of Jesus was to listen to God (see 7:16; 12:49–50).
God said that He would hold Israel accountable for ignoring the teachings of His prophet Moses (Deuteronomy 18:19). To reject or ignore Jesus’ words was the same as rejecting God’s words. As a result God would hold people accountable, just as He did with ancient Israel. If God punished Israel for not listening to Moses, how much more will He judge those who don’t listen to the teachings of Jesus?
To continue implied the intimate knowledge disciples were to have of Jesus’ teaching: they were to dwell on and in it. The Greek word behind this translation is used in the writings of John more than all other New Testament writers combined. It indicates closeness and association with Jesus and God and the fellowship of true disciples (see John 15:1–20; 1 John 3:9). They believed based on Jesus’ teaching and, in response, followed Him. Such disciples would know His Father (see 2 John 9).
What Do You Think?
How do John 15:11–17 and 1 John 2:3–10 provide a framework for the ways Christians can grow as disciples of Jesus?
Digging Deeper
What prevents Christians from following Jesus’ teaching and growing as His disciples?
B. Truth and Freedom (v. 32)
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
A discussion on the nature of freedom might lead to different interpretations. For some, an expression of freedom implies unrestrained pursuit of personal desires. For others an expression of freedom may mean nothing more than the ability to refuse to submit to anyone—an attitude of defiance. However, these interpretations do not address the freedom that Jesus implied. The freedom to which Jesus alluded was an eternal freedom, not human expectations of earthly freedom.
As disciples continued to follow Jesus’ teaching (see commentary on John 8:31, above), their knowledge of God’s truth would expand. Old Testament Scriptures describe truth in terms of God’s faithfulness and salvation (see Exodus 34:6; 2 Samuel 2:6; Psalms 25:5; 119:142, 151, 160; Isaiah 61:8). John’s Gospel continued with this idea and applied truth to the person and work of Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; see 1:17; 18:37). As disciples remained in Jesus’ teaching, they would know His truth: a life made free through salvation found in Christ Jesus.
What Do You Think?
How will you evaluate your habits to make sure you’re living in accordance with God’s truth?
Digging Deeper
How will you respond to those who see Christianity as merely following “a bunch of rules?”
II. Believers React
(JOHN 8:33)
A. Declaration (v. 33a)
33a. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man.
Jesus had reminded hearers that He was “not of this world” but was instead “from above” (John 8:23). When He tried teaching on heavenly things, His hearers often misunderstood His point. For example, Jesus taught that a person must be “born again” (3:3), but Nicodemus assumed natural birth (3:4). Jesus had offered “living water” to a Samaritan woman (4:10), but she assumed natural water (4:11). These misunderstandings occurred because people did not recognize that Jesus spoke concerning spiritual realities. The Jews who answered Jesus here fell prey to similar misunderstandings; they assumed Jesus was teaching about physical freedom.
Their response to Jesus acknowledged a particular nationalistic identity but showed disregard for a key part of that identity. Their place as seed and descendants of Abraham was a central aspect of Israel’s covenant with God (see Genesis 13:15; 17:8). Their identity as a people centered on the promises made by God to Abraham. Therefore, to align with Abraham was an ethnic identification that related Israel to God by means of covenant (see Luke 13:16; 19:9).
However, the declaration that we … were never in bondage failed to acknowledge previous commands made to Israel. Moses commanded Israel to “remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 5:15; see 15:15; 16:12; 24:18). It was not as if Jesus’ audience suddenly suffered amnesia. It is unclear whether they were willfully disregarding their collective history as a people who once lived in bondage, or if they were expressing their own personal status of having never been in bondage themselves. In either case, their declaration showed a failure to follow what Moses had commanded of Israel. But perhaps more significantly, their declaration was a failure to remember their dependence on God.
This narrative includes all 11 references to Abraham in John’s Gospel. These references are often an appeal to Abraham as a means to reject the teachings of Jesus (see John 8:39, 52–57). The claim to be of Abraham’s lineage was undoubtedly true but lacked perspective regarding what was relatively more important (see Luke 3:8–9). An appeal to physical ancestry revealed a failure to grasp the nature of the kingdom of God about which Jesus taught.
What Do You Think?
What reasons might nonbelievers give to avoid following Jesus’ teaching?
Digging Deeper
What excuses do Christians use to avoid following Jesus’ teaching? How might Matthew 16:24 address these excuses?
B. Question (v. 33b)
33b. How sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
The Jews questioned Jesus, placing the burden of proof on Him. Their question implied that they believed they were currently free, which disregarded their current status in the Roman Empire. They also failed to realize that Jesus was concerned with a different kind of freedom.
III. Jesus Responds
(JOHN 8:34–38)
A. Sin and Servitude (v. 34)
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Jesus’ response instantly upended the Jewish audience’s faulty understandings of bondage and freedom. While they were concerned with an earthly sense of bondage, Jesus spoke of a more important form. Jesus applied the bondage metaphor to whosoever committeth sin. Such a person was a servant to sin. The ironic aspect was that it was one’s own sinful desires that bound a person.
Other New Testament texts continue the bondage theme when discussing the influence of sin. The apostle Paul wrote that the bondage of sin leads to death (Romans 6:6, 16–17). Therefore, to find freedom, people should seek to become “servants of righteousness” (6:18). The apostle Peter warned against false promises of freedom that led people to become “servants of corruption” (2 Peter 2:19).
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
The boredom had become too much for sixteen-year-old me to handle. I had to do something to pass the time. “Why not? What’s the big deal?” I said to myself as I lit my first cigarette. A practice that I intended to pass the time with grew into something larger. As I got older, smoking had a bigger hold on me. I planned my days around each cigarette and each smoke break. When asked, I was quick to dismiss my habit. Everybody smoked, and I thought I could quit at any time.
In reality, I was addicted to cigarettes. Their influence took over my life and affected my health, my job, and my relationships. Often I would rather be late to work than forgo my cigarettes. I was bound captive to a smoking habit I couldn’t drop.
People can be bound captive by unchecked sin. Enticing sin seems innocent. It seduces people into believing it’s not a big deal—when in fact it brings death. Sin might seem innocent and justified. But the longer you continue in it, the more likely it will send your freedom up in smoke. Don’t deceive yourself! Who will you confess your sins to today (see 1 John 1:8–10)?
—P. L. M.
B. Temporary and Permanent (v. 35)
35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Jesus continued His response to His Jewish audience through the use of a household metaphor. In a wealthy person’s household, a servant would work for the master. However, even as a part of the house, a servant’s presence was uncertain, as he or she could be sold or set free at any time.
By contrast, the master’s firstborn son and heir received all the safety, security, and economic advantage of the household. No matter the situation, the son was considered a permanent member of the household and received the blessing of the inheritance to future generations (see Genesis 21:10; Ezekiel 46:16). Jesus pointed His hearers to find permanent freedom from sin through the Son of God and the promise of His inheritance.
C. Son and Freedom (v. 36)
36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
A primary descriptor of Jesus in John’s Gospel is Son of God. The title highlights the unique relationship Jesus has with His Father, who sent Him (John 3:16, 18; 5:19). The title stressed the Son’s deity even while He was on earth (5:20–25). As the Son of God, Jesus is the source of eternal life (5:26). The Son and the Father are one (14:10–11), and they give glory to each other (17:1).
Jesus taught that only He can make people free from sin. His audience misunderstood the implications of His teaching concerning the Son and His Father (see John 8:19, 27). With the proclamation in the verse before us, Jesus identified himself with the “truth” (see commentary on 8:32, above) who would bring freedom from condemnation and death (3:18; 5:24).
What Do You Think?
How does the Son’s freedom differ from worldly ideas of freedom?
Digging Deeper
How do Romans 6:22; Galatians 5:1–13; James 1:25–27; and 1 Peter 2:16–17 affect your answer in this regard?
FIXING STITCHES
Spending hours crocheting with my mom is one of the fondest (and most frustrating!) memories of my childhood. She sat with me and taught me each stitch. Anytime I missed a stitch, I would unravel the yarn and fix the missed spot. Sometimes I would make another mistake in the process of fixing the original mistake! I spent so much time fixing mistakes that I often didn’t fully enjoy the final product!
Constantly fixing mistakes is how I once perceived my life with God: if I didn’t make mistakes with my life, then I would be right with God. But it felt like mistakes were unavoidable, one occurring right after another.
Jesus’ audience thought their law, their history, and their actions made them free and right with God. However, they were in bondage. The truth that provides freedom is found in Jesus. There are no mistakes that are too much for Jesus. Are you trying to fix the “missed stitches” of your life? Or, instead, have you accepted the freedom that Jesus brings? How will you use your freedom in Christ for the good of others (see Galatians 5:13)?
—P. L. M.
D. What and Why (vv. 37–38)
37a. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed.
Jesus confirmed His audience’s earlier assertion that they were Abraham’s seed (see commentary on John 8:33, above). However, a valid claim to Abrahamic lineage was not enough. Jesus would remind His audience that “if ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (8:39). True children of Abraham followed in the faith of Abraham (see Romans 4:3, 12). As a result, the people of God expand beyond the scope of an ethnic identification with Abraham (see 9:6–8).
37b. But ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Not only did Jesus’ audience refuse to listen to His teaching; they conspired against Him. This is not the first time Jesus acknowledged this desire in His audience. Previously, He asked the Jews at the temple courts: “Why go ye about to kill me?” (John 7:19). In that instance the crowds refused to answer Jesus directly, preferring instead to question the validity of His question, stating that He was possessed (7:20). As a result of their indirect answer, Jesus assumed that they were indeed seeking to kill Him. True disciples would dwell on the word of Jesus, which bore witness to the Father who sent the Son (5:36–40).
38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
Jesus pronounced a contrast. On the one hand, Jesus’ word gave witness to His heavenly Father who sent Him. On the other hand, Jesus observed that His audience was more concerned with what they have seen and heard from their father, the devil (see John 8:44).
Jesus’ audience thought that their freedom was inevitable because of their ancestry. However, Jesus stated that they were deceived. As long as they refused to listen and adhere to the teaching of Jesus, they would not experience true freedom. They would not know their heavenly Father. By failing to heed Jesus, the audience failed to listen to God.
What Do You Think?
How might the actions and concerns of Christians change as they follow God the Father?
Digging Deeper
Do Luke 10:27–28 and John 14:15 give insight to the actions necessary to follow God?
VII. Conclusion
A. True Freedom
Modern discussions regarding the concept of freedom revolve around ideas of personal volition, responsibility, and the ability of people to express themselves without interference. But Jesus was less concerned with freedom in that regard. Instead, Jesus was concerned about freedom and liberation from the insidious grip of sin. Jesus’ audience did not realize that they were experiencing this kind of bondage. While they thought their ethnic heritage provided freedom, they were actually experiencing bondage. Their so-called freedom was an illusion based on a lie.
Jesus spoke truth because He spoke the words of His Father—a declaration of true freedom. Freedom that comes from the Father leads to eternal life with the Son. Those who crave this freedom will seek Jesus and His Word and become His disciples. As such, His disciples will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. A new day of freedom has been established.
B. Prayer
Heavenly Father, give us ears to hear Your truth and hearts that love Your truth. May our attitudes, words, and actions reflect Your truth so we can bear witness to Your Son. May the world be illuminated by Your truth shining in and through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Freedom is found in the truth of Jesus.
May 1
Lesson 9 (KJV)
FREEDOM FROM SIN
DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 6:1–14
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:1–14
ROMANS 6:1–14
1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
KEY TEXT
If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.—Romans 6:5
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. State the result of dying with Christ.
2. Compare and contrast the old self with the new self.
3. Make a plan to be a more effective instrument of righteousness.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Set Free
B. Lesson Context
I. Dead to Sin (Romans 6:1–5)
A. Rhetorical Question (v. 1)
B. Emphatic Answer (vv. 2–5)
End-of-Life Care
II. Alive in Christ (Romans 6:6–14)
A. Freedom from Sin (vv. 6–11)
Which Adam?
B. Freedom to Serve God (vv. 12–14)
Conclusion
A. Who Will You Serve?
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Chrestus
Crest-us.
Claudius
Claw-dee-us.
Colossians
Kuh-losh-unz.
Corinthians
Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Ephesians
Ee-fee-zhunz.
Gentile
Jen-tile.
Suetonius
Soo-toe-nee-us.
Thessalonians
Thess-uh-lo-nee-unz
(th as in thin).
KID’S CORNER
Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus
Sunday, April 24, 2022
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
Sunday, April 24, 2022
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
Sunday, April 24, 2022
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?
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
Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus
Sunday, April 24, 2022
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
Crucifi
True and False Test
Some Reasons We Believe in Jesus
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Matthew 28:1-15
NAME _________________________________________
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
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give us ears to hear Your truth and hearts that love Your truth. May our attitudes, words, and actions reflect Your truth so we can bear witness to Your Son. May the world be illuminated by Your truth shining in and through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
