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Matthew Twenty-Eight

Happy New Year! Jesus is Risen!

The last chapter of Matthew begins with the best news ever told. Jesus, the One we read about being born, fulfilling OT prophecy, calling out the religious scholars, healing the sick, saving the lost, being mocked and beaten, and dying a cruel death on the cross, is not in the tomb Joseph placed Him in.


Early in the morning, at the dawn of a new week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. When they got there, the earth reeled a rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from Heaven to where they were standing. The angel rolled away the stone and sat on it. Lightning blazed from him and his garments shimmered snow-white. The guards were scared to death and couldn't move.


The angel spoke to the women, "Jesus is not here. He was raised, just as He said... get on your way quickly and tell His disciples."


The angel told them women to tell the disciples about Jesus' resurrection, and that Jesus will meet the disciples in Galilee. So, they ran to tell the disciples.


Then Jesus met the women, stopping them in their tracks. They recognized Him, fell down to their knees, and worshipped Him.


I can hardly imagine what the women must have been experiencing. I cry at the airport as I watch families and friends reunite. I sob watching videos of soldiers returning to their families. That is pale in comparison to what it must have been like to watch Jesus die and be buried and then to have Him alive and standing in front of them! The emotions must have been overwhelming!


The guards who heard what the angels said ran to the high priests to tell them what happened. The religious leaders bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money to lie about what they heard. They were told to say it was the disciples who stole the body while the guards slept. The high priest and religious leaders refused to admit the true identity of Jesus.


Meanwhile, the disciples were headed to Galilee when Jesus showed up. Some instantly worshiped, but others held back, not sure about risking themselves totally.


We still have those two types of Jesus-followers today - those who worship Jesus whatever the cost, and those who hold back because they are not sure about risking themselves totally.

The book ends with this great commission from Jesus:


Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."


That is the purpose of our lives as followers of Jesus. We are all called to tell others about what we have been told and to teach them the ways of God. Nothing in life is more important that this.


We know the story. We have the Truth. There is a world of hurting people who need the hope of the Gospel.


Go. Tell others.

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