Study of Matthew

Matthew Chapter 28

Matthew 28:1 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.

This is the biggest most significant event in the history of the world. It meant the difference between eternal life or eternal death for all of mankind. No amount of animal sacrifices, good deeds, keeping the rituals of the law etc. could eradicate sin. Sin was separating us from the God who created us. Sin was condemning our souls to an eternal hell from which there is no escape. Sin was a trap, a type of bondage and an evil that came upon all mankind at the fall of Adam. We needed a deliverer and here was the deliverer. If He had not of raised from the dead, there would have been no hope for all of mankind. If He had not of raised from the dead, there would be no way for any of us to be raised from the dead. Now we have a hope for He was indeed risen just like He said.

How do I know that? The witness of the Holy Spirit that was sent after Jesus returned to His Father. That witness witnesses to our spirit the moment we believe in Jesus as savior and Lord. To believe in Jesus as savior is also to believe in Him as Lord. We can't say we believe in Him to save us from sin and then not be willing to turn from that sin. To believe means to believe what He died for. To save us from sin and to save us from suffering the penalty of sin. We must repent and turn from sin to be saved. Sin is what separated us from God. Jesus died to take that sin away. We must not think we can accept Jesus in our hearts like many say and still stay a sinner. To truly be free from sin is to turn away and renounce sin. We now hate that which we once were in bondage to. We are now reconciled back to our creator that sin had separated us from.

Matthew 28:3 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.

This is why the soldiers were not able to hinder the angels from opening up the tomb. They were literally scared to silence like frozen statues. These could have been the means of many more being saved but they loved money more than the truth. The authorities paid them to be silent and not tell of the resurrection of Jesus. Of course if they wouldn't have taken the bribe, they most likely would have been put to death so they just may have feared for their lives.

Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Notice how the first appearance of the angels and the first sign of the resurrection was given to faithful women who came to anoint the body of Jesus. God uses women. God has a place for women and we must remember this. True Christianity does not place women in an inferior position from men. They have their place. They have their calling that may or may not be limited to waiting on tables or serving food. Remember the story of Mary and Martha. Some women love to hear and share God's word.

Matthew 28:6 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.

The first witnesses to the resurrection were women. They were instructed to go tell the disciples of this great event.

Matthew 28:8 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.

Jesus Himself confirms the miracle of the resurrection by appearing in person to these women. I wonder why He chose the women to witness this first. Perhaps He could see the day when certain men would attempt to exclude women from the ministry of the word. Some so-called Christian religions even have made a woman's salvation dependent upon her husband or male church leader. This should never be. We are all saved individually by our faith in Jesus Christ.

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

One might wonder why Jesus didn't just go Himself. Instead He wants the first word they hear to come from human witnesses. He wants us to tell of His word. He could send angels and heavenly beings but He has ordained that we as human beings who have been changed by the power of His Holy Spirit to be witnesses. If God has to send angels then His own people are not doing their job. He will again send angels mostly after the rapture of His own believers before or during the tribulation but for now we are the witnesses. That is why the Holy Spirit is given on the day of Pentecost.

Matthew 28:11 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.

The religious leaders knew that Jesus had risen but they sat on that truth and bribed the soldiers with money to keep them quiet. Had the soldiers really fallen asleep, they would probably have been put to death for such an error. The fact that they were not put to death may tell us something.

Acts 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

To sleep on the job meant certain death for soldiers. How much more would the soldiers guarding the tomb of Jesus to make certain the disciples did not steal His body and claim His resurrection, would have been severely punished by the death penalty had they indeed just fallen asleep as they claim. They surely would not have bribed them with money. They were given money to silence their witnessing the resurrection of Jesus. They could have been saved and become believers but the fear of their own lives and the love of money prevented that from happening. Who knows though, they might have found the Lord at a later date.

Matthew 28:12 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.

They had to prepare for things in case they had to appear before the governor for falling asleep on the job. This was the only way they could escape death. They had to trust the religious leaders to intervene on their behalf.

Mat 28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

One can see how Romans 10:9 comes into play easily. It would take saving faith to believe in a literal resurrection. We have to believe in the resurrection of Jesus to be saved from sin. The reason is that if He had not have resurrected after dying for sin, there would be no proof that He was the Son of God sent to save us from sin. He would have just been an ordinary man who would have sinned Himself in one point disqualifying Himself to be that perfect lamb without spot of wrinkle.

The sacrifice for sin had to be someone without spot or sin any point. Jesus not only kept all the commandments in every point but fulfilled the whole sacrificial law without fault. That is why He could die for sins we committed and His resurrection proved the truth in what He taught and commanded. It proved that He indeed was the very Son of God.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are to teach more than Jesus' resurrection and death. We are to teach all things He taught us. We are to endeavor to teach what He taught all over the world.

Verse 19 proves that there is a literal Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit). They are inseparable and one in unity as fellow believers are to be one in purpose and unity. We have to emphasize though that true unity of the Spirit would also be unity of truth. We are not to have unity with unbelievers or those that bring false doctrine. That would be the unbiblical unity like they had during the time of the tower of Babel. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth. The Spirit of Truth is one that the world cannot receive. Only believers in Jesus Christ can receive the Holy Spirit. DC

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