Tag: Matthew 28
Money buys an alibi!
Scripture reading for February 7: Matthew 28
“Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.” Matthew 28:10-15
On the morning of the third day since Jesus was crucified and buried in the tomb, the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, went to the tomb. As they approached a great earthquake shook the area and the stone was rolled away by a descending angel who took a seat on the stone. The guards were shaken and became like dead men. Today we might describe this as being ‘slain in the Spirit’ This angel comforted and encouraged the women to have faith and not fear. He instructed them to go to the disciples and tell them to go to Galilee and there they would see Jesus. As they left there in fear, Jesus appeared to them, and repeated the encouragement to not fear but to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee.
The guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. They assembled the elders and came up with a plan: give the soldiers money to tell people that “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we slept.” They promised the soldiers protection from the governor. This is the story that was spread around and gave the guards an alibi for their negligence and an explanation for the body of Jesus disappearing.
If you were one of the guards, how would you process these events in light of your own need to escape punishment? In what way do you relate to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary upon seeing the angel and the empty tomb? How does our world view hinder us from a real understanding of Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your patience in working with Your people to help them shape their world view to accept the resurrection of Your Son. Forgive me for acting in fear and looking for excuses or natural explanations. Continue to expand my understanding of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Amen.
Therefore, Go!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus gave simple and clear instructions to those who had trusted in Him. He declared that all authority had been given to Him, in heaven and on earth! Because of this authority and the Father’s heart of love behind it, His followers were sent into all the world to every people group in every land. Their mission was to make disciples, not just get converts! They were to baptize them and teach them obedience to Jesus’ commands. It wasn’t difficult or hard to understand or especially hard to do. It did require faith and an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus during the process. Jesus promised His presence with them at all times.
Observations for over-comers: Humble disciples of Jesus recognize His authority and heart to reach the lost of all nations and make disciples. Go! “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
Jesus the Risen Lord!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said.”” (Matthew 28:1-6) This angelic visitation brought a violent earthquake and terror to those soldiers guarding the tomb! The stone was rolled back while they were ‘like dead men’. This angel spoke to the women who had followed Jesus and told them not to be afraid but to tell the disciples!
As they hurried away, Jesus Himself met them with a greeting! They fell at His feet and worshiped! He also assured them and calmed their fears, sending them to the disciples. The guards, however, ran to the chief priests and told them what had happened. They devised a plan and a story to cover up the angel’s appearance and empty tomb! The lie was widely circulated and even today is believed by those with hard hearts!
Matthew records Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)