Matthew
Lesson 14Matthew Chapter 28
In this lesson, we conclude our sequential study of the book of Matthew by taking a close look at the resurrection and Jesus’ last days walking on the earth (until he ascended into heaven while assuring us that he’ll return someday). Today we are closer to that return than ever in human history.
While the closing chapter in Matthew focuses on Jesus’ resurrection and the Great Commission, our study will also examine some of the many things that occurred between His resurrection and forty days later, when He gave the Great Commission. I pray that we will dig deeper into this very important and life–changing event; it is the foundation of our faith, i.e., that we serve a resurrected Savior; and that Savior is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.
Read Matthew 28:1-20 and consider the following questions:
- Our study begins in the early morning hours of the "first day of the week;" for us today, that day is Sunday. We can readily see how the Christian tradition of gathering for a "Sunrise Service" on Easter Sunday came about. It was early on that first Easter Sunday when we see Mary Magdalene, Salome, and "the other Mary" headed for the tomb. Unlike today, where we come together to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, these women were headed there to finish burying their beloved son and friend. We can easily imagine their heavy hearts, and we can see their dedication—they left as soon as the sun was up and the Sabbath had ended. They loved Jesus so much that they wanted to make sure he received a proper burial. We can only imagine how sad and despondent they must have been as they approached the area where the tomb was located. What happened as they approached the tomb? (see Matt. 28:1-4 and Mark 16:1)
- Have you ever been in an earthquake, especially a violent one? I can tell you from firsthand experience that it’s frightening almost beyond words. The ground produces an almost liquid feeling sensation, and nothing is stable; everything is shifting wildly, and you have no idea if something will fall on you and crush you, or if you will simply get sucked down into a large gap in the earth. And if that wasn’t enough to frighten the women, an angel appeared. The composite event was so awesome that it caused the trained Roman Guards to faint, and it physically moved a large stone away from the tomb! The three ladies must have been terrified not understanding all that was happening. What happened next? (see Matt 28:5-8)
- What happened as the women were hurrying to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the grave? (see Matt. 28:9-10)
- After the women have left the area of the tomb, the Roman guards regain their consciousness. Who do they report to and convey all that had happened up until the time that they fainted? What happens to these guards? Are they executed for failing to keep the tomb secure? (see Matt. 28:11-15)
- Matthew now jumps to the end of the story; forty days have passed since Christ’s resurrection. The scene now shifts to a mountain in Galilee that Jesus had instructed the disciples to go to. Note that only eleven make the trip; Judas is dead from suicide. Jesus then tells them that something has happened, and based on this event, he has one set of final instructions. Read Matthew 28:16-20, and identify what has changed and what his final instructions are to his disciples.
- As we end our study of Matthew, let’s take a moment to look briefly at the forty days from Jesus’ resurrection to his ascension into Heaven. In the space below fill in what took place on the identified periods within those forty days:
- Sunday Morning: Matthew Chapter 28
- Sunday Afternoon: Mark 16:12-13 and Luke 24:13-32
- Sunday Evening: Luke 24:33-35, Luke 24:36-43, and John20:19-25
- A Week from Sunday: John 20:26-28
- The next 32 days: John 21:1-14, 1 Cor. 15:6, 1 Cor. 15:7, Acts 1:3-8, Luke 24:44-49, and Acts 1:9-12
In summary, over the forty days from his resurrection to his ascension, Christ spends his effort on demonstrating to everyone that he has indeed risen and is now in his resurrected body. He performs many miracles and spends the majority of his time teaching the Apostles and preparing them for the work ahead, spreading the Gospel message.
It has been a great study, and I pray you have grown as I have. We serve a risen Savior! He has power and authority over everything! As Romans 8:31 states, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" We are freed from being a slave to sin, freed to follow Christ in love and service, and freed to live a life in eternity with Jesus. How indescribable is that?!
Have a greet week everyone!
In Christ,
Wes
[2017]