Matthew 28

Study Guide 92: Matthew 28 ALIVE, FOREVERMORE Overview The resurrection of Jesus is one of the best attested events of history. What happened that Resurrection morning, and who saw our risen Lord?

Three women at tombLuke 23:55-24:9 Peter, John see empty tombJoh_20:3-10 The women see JesusMat_28:9-10 Peter sees Jesus same dayLuk_24:34 Two on Emmaus roadLuk_24:13-31 The Apostles, Thomas absentLuk_24:36-45 The Apostles, Thomas presentJoh_20:24-29 Seven at Lake TiberiusJoh_21:1-23 Five hundred in Galilee1Co_15:6 James in Jerusalem1Co_15:7 Many at AscensionAct_1:3-12 Paul near DamascusAct_9:3-6 Stephen at stoningAct_7:55 Paul in the templeAct_22:17-19 John on PatmosRev_1:10-19There were so many witnesses that even though Jesus’ enemies started a rumor that Christ’ s body had been stolen, they could not stop the news of the Resurrection from sweeping the nation, and then the world. Today we have nearly 2,000 years of church history to demonstrate the validity of our faith. The resurrected Jesus has proved His presence to His people in every age. But do the members of your group grasp just what the reality of Jesus’ resurrection means to them, and to other Christians? That is the focus of this study of Matthew 28:1-20 : the meaning of Resurrection, now.

Commentary Enemies and friends of Jesus waited. On the third day after His execution, two Marys went to see the tomb. They were shocked to come to a deserted garden. The guard the Jewish elders had posted was gone. The stone that had sealed the entrance of the tomb was rolled away. Sitting on it was an angel, whose appearance had jolted the guard to insensibility, and who now spoke to the women. “ Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:5-6).

The Resurrection The Resurrection was an unexpected event. Though the Lord had foretold His resurrection, the disciples were unprepared. They even found it hard to believe when the reports began to come in. During the 40 days that Jesus met with the disciples after the Resurrection, many proofs were given. Paul reports: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the Apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8The resurrection of Christ is one of the most thoroughly attested facts of history, not only through the written documents of the Scriptures, but also by the transformation of the disciples. From a group of men cowering in a locked room for fear of the Jews (John 20:19), these men were transformed into bold and joyful witnesses of the resurrection of their Lord. The historical fact reported in Scripture, accepted by faith by believers, is a cornerstone of our faith. Resurrection’ s place in the New Testament. The New Testament gives the resurrection of Jesus a central place. Each of the Gospels climaxes with a description of this great act of God. The earliest preaching of the Gospel takes the Resurrection as its keynote (cf. Acts 25:1-27; Acts 7:1-60; Acts 10:1-48). Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, argued that Christianity stands or falls with the Resurrection, the decisive turning point in mankind’ s history. Dying, Jesus won us forgiveness. Rising, He presents us with all the benefits of a renewed life (cf. Romans 4:25; Romans 5:9-10; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:30). LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT Prepare a study sheet like the one illustrated above. When you pass it out, ask your group members to look back over their lives, and think of faults, failures, and sins that have defeated them. Then have them draw features on the backward-looking face at the top of the page, to show how they make them feel, and write one emotion or feeling that such recollections cause them. Share the pictures drawn, and the feeling words each person has written. Then look together at the verses on the page. Jesus’ being raised to new life promises new power to us for our present (mortal) lives. So we can literally forget our past sins and failures, and set out to experience the new life Jesus gives us. Ask each person to draw features on the lower face, showing how it feels to have the promise of power for godly living. Have each jot down one area in his or her life in which newness is important. Resurrection’ s nature. Christ’ s resurrection was the resurrection of a real body of flesh. Jesus’ followers recognized His face and voice (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:31; John 20:16, John 20:19-20; John 21:12). His body was touched by them (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:17, John 20:27). He ate with them (Luke 24:30, Luke 24:42-43; John 21:12-13). He Himself pointed out that “ a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” (Luke 24:39). Yet His resurrection body showed a unique freedom from the limitations placed on us today. He appeared among them in a locked room (John 20:19), and vanished at will (Luke 24:31). He ascended into heaven before the disciples and many witnesses (Acts 1:1-26). Though made of flesh and bone, Jesus’ resurrection body is called by Paul “ spiritual” — not immaterial, but controlled by or responsive to the Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:44). In 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, Paul described Christ’ s body as imperishable, glorious, powerful, incorruptible, immortal, and victorious. And we are promised that our resurrection state will be like His. LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN Ask your boys and girls how they would tell if something they saw was a ghost. After they have listed characteristics, explain that at first some of the people who saw Jesus alive again after He was killed thought He was a ghost. Ask how the children would tell someone they saw was not a ghost. Then go through the evidences in the Gospel: Jesus ate, prepared a meal for the disciples, could be touched by them, etc.

Matthew’ s Emphasis: Matthew 28:16-20Each of the four Gospel writers gives extensive space to the Resurrection, and each has its own particular emphasis. Matthew’ s emphasis is in fullest harmony with the theme and thrust of his book. Jesus, the glorious King who lived as a servant, did establish a kingdom. Christ’ s last recorded words in Matthew echo the command of the King to the servants He leaves in charge of His possessions: 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 will be with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20All authority. It’ s important to realize first of all that Jesus’ kingdom does exist today. The fact that the Old Testament visible form of the kingdom has not yet been established in no way means that Jesus’ power or authority over this earth are limited. The fact is that Jesus reigns now. His kingdom exists alongside and within human cultures and societies, focused in the men and women in whom Jesus’ Spirit dwells. His quiet, unobtrusive rule is nevertheless totally real. Nothing can happen in heaven or on earth except by His will. Just as Jesus chose during His days on earth to give men freedom to respond to or to reject Him, the pattern of our world today shows a similar freedom. When Christ returns, His righteous ways will be imposed. Today, He permits men to choose. How tragic that most men choose the ways of sin. Even so, Jesus continues on the throne. And Jesus does intervene today on our behalf as we choose to live by His will. LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN To “ witness” is simply to give personal testimony. It is as we give testimony to Jesus that others, hearing of Him, make their own personal choice. So “ making disciples” is not a process of forcing the Gospel on others. It is a process of sharing Good News in attractive, positive ways. Help your boys and girls give a simple, positive witness to their friends and family, and so do their part even now to “ make disciples.” How? Cut crown-shaped badges from cardboard. On the base print “ I choose.” Then help your boys and girls cover the rest of the crown with bright, aluminum or metal foil. Tape a safety pin to the back of the crown so it can be worn on shirt or blouse. Explain that the badge indicates “ I choose King Jesus.” If someone asks about the badge, a child can explain that Jesus died and came alive again, and He is both Saviour and Lord. The badge says that the child has chosen Jesus, and reminds others that they can choose to be Jesus’ followers too. Make disciples. Jesus’ command to us as servants, left in charge of our Lord’ s possessions while He is away, is very specific. When Jesus returns and sits on His glorious throne, Christ will impose righteousness on the whole world. Until then, the kingdom continues as a hidden thing, revealed only to the eyes of faith, and experienced only by those who follow in the footsteps of the King. Christ’ s words to the disciples in Matthew 16:1-28 and Matthew 28:1-20 give us direction for our lives. “ If anyone would come after Me,” He told the Twelve, “ he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). In following Jesus we find not an earthly kingdom but ourselves. We become new men and new women, whose lives are being transformed, and whose personalities are being reshaped to reflect the love, the compassion, and the character of the King. Making disciples who will be like the Master (Luke 6:40) is the calling which you and I have from our Lord and King. All nations. The kingdom of God in its present form cuts across all languages and boundaries and societies. Men of every culture are called, not to become like those of some other nation, but to become like Jesus and to reflect Him in their own lands. Baptism, which speaks of identification, is to be into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — not into the “ Western world” or into America’ s idea of the church. Thus, Christ’ s kingdom is universal, and the Sermon on the Mount is a unique expression of a reality that cuts across all cultures. Unlike the coming kingdom, which will shatter the kingdoms and the cultures of this world, the kingdom today infuses. God’ s kingdom today touches men, shaping within them Christ’ s unique concern and love for others. Individuals from every land and age respond, and, in becoming followers of the King, demonstrate the transforming power of Christ in fresh and ever-living ways. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. The disciple expresses allegiance to his King through obedience. Christ’ s instructions to His disciples about their own lifestyles are to be communicated to each new generation of believers. The Sermon on the Mount, the way of greatness, the challenge to watch and to serve while the Master is away, are all basic to the Gospel today. In Matthew, we have been shown a way of life, amplified in the rest of the New Testament but unmistakably clear in the Gospel. In Matthew’ s portrait of Jesus, we have a model of the men and women you and I are to be. Jesus lived and died as a servant King. In the words of this final command, “ Obey everything I have commanded you,” we hear echoes of Jesus’ earlier words. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. Matthew 10:25Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28I am with you always. It’ s important as we face the meaning of Christ’ s kingdom and His kingship over us, to realize that we are not left alone to do the impossible. Christ has all authority, and Christ promises to be with us. What is impossible for us is fully possible for Him. We are free to follow, for we do not follow alone. It is this reality that Paul writes of in Romans 8:11 : “ If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God. That same resurrection power is available to overcome the deadness in our lives. Because Christ promises to be with us always, we know that His power is always ours. The King lives. And reigns. In us, as in all the world.

The Breaking: Luke 24:13-35There is a Resurrection story in Luke which helps us grasp the uniqueness of Matthew’ s picture of Jesus — and of the kingdom of which you and I are a part. On that Resurrection Day, two disciples were returning to their Emmaus home, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about the events of the Passion Week, and the strange reports of the morning. As they walked they were joined by a third Person. He questioned them about what had been happening. As they strode along together, the two told the Stranger about Jesus, who they had hoped was to redeem Israel. How amazed they were now at the report that Jesus had been seen alive again! Then the Stranger interrupted: “ How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26) Then He traced the Old Testament prophecies that foretold the events of that week and of His coming. When they arrived at the village, the two urged their Companion to stay for a meal and the night. Seated, He took the bread and blessed it — and broke it. And their eyes were opened. They recognized Jesus! There’ s something about the breaking of the loaf of bread. The rich odor of its goodness fills the room. The odor awakens hunger — a hunger that demands satisfaction. All this is known in the breaking of the bread. This is also how Jesus is known. King He is. But at Passover, Jesus identified Himself as “ bread.” “ This is My body, which is broken for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24, KJV). Had Jesus come in glory first, we would have known His power. But God’ s great love is not known in Jesus’ glory, but in His brokenness. Not in the throne, but in the Cross. Not in might, but in servanthood. As the rich warm odors given off in the breaking of the bread invite men to the feast, it is in the servanthood of Jesus we are shown God’ s love, that we sense His invitation to draw near. So it is in our lives. There will be time enough for glory when Jesus comes. Today the hidden kingdom is revealed in us, as we, following our King, humble ourselves to serve. Humble and broken, as was our Lord in the service of His fellowmen, we best fulfill His last command.

Teaching Guide Prepare Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-58. How important does Paul say that a literal resurrection is to our faith?

Explore

1. Hold a discussion on the question: “ How do we really know that the resurrection of Jesus took place?”
2. Give a list of the witnesses included in this study guide’ s overview to each of your group members. Divide the references among the group, so each can look up and read at least one. Some have suggested that these witnesses would have had no motive to lie. If Jesus were really dead, they would have been in despair, and at best all they could expect was persecution and a death like their Lord’ s. Only conviction that the Resurrection was real could have transformed Jesus’ followers from despair to joy, and given them the courage to witness in Jerusalem, and then throughout the world.

Expand What does the Resurrection mean for us now? Use the study sheet and process outlined in “ link-to-life” above to help your group members sense the transforming power the Resurrection unleashes for believers to appropriate.

Apply Go around the circle, asking each person to finish this open-ended statement: “ Because Jesus lives, I. . . .”