Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Jesus Raised Up"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Matthew tells us of Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (presumed to be the mother of James and Joses, which means it was Mary, mother of Jesus) going to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Mark’s Gospel tells us that it was three women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. (Mark 15 identifies Salome as the wife of Zebedee and mother of John and James the elder.). The Gospel of Luke reveals a woman named Joanna, and other women among them that went to Jesus’ burial tomb. Interestingly, Luke 8:3 tells us that Joanna was the wife of Chuza, who was Steward to Herod! Joanna and Susanna both ministered to Jesus “out of their substance.”
John’s Gospel mentions only Mary Magdalene going to the tomb, and seeing a gardener who speaks her name. It was the voice of Jesus, risen and alive. “Rabboni!” (Master) was her response to His voice.
This example gives us insight into the importance of reading ALL the Bible, and taking into consideration all the things that individual passages cover about events that are recorded in multiple Books of the Bible.
John tells us only of Mary Magdalene going to the tomb, and the other Gospel writers tell us that Mary, mother of Jesus; another Mary, mother of the Sons of Thunder (Zebedee’s boys), Joanna (wife of Herod’s Steward, Chuza), Salome and other unnamed women all went to the tomb.
Matthew 12 begins a teaching of Jesus in the Temple, with the Pharisees present. His words extend into Matthew 13…
In Matthew 13:55, 56, the Pharisees speak:
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas (Jude)? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?”
- The wisdom of God will always confound the wisdom of men. -
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sabbath (28:1) - According to Exodus 20:8–11, the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, on which the children of Israel were to rest, in remembrance that God created the universe in six days and then “rested” on the seventh day. "In the end of the sabbath" means "after the sabbath." In the Jewish reckoning, the day began at sundown, so the first day of the week was already well along when "it began to dawn."
Began to dawn (28:1) - means the beginning of the twilight before sunrise.
He is Not Here (28:6) - The Greek text says, “He was raised.” He is not here. He was raised. And the word is a word to indicate resurrection from the dead. There’s no question that Jesus was dead. That’s why the soldiers who were experts at death didn’t break His legs. He was already dead. They thrust a spear into His side penetrating the sac around the heart and out came the blood from His heart and the water from the pericardium. He was dead. And lying in that tomb for this the third day – no question He was dead.
He is Risen (28:6) - He was raised. The Bible emphasizes that He was raised by the power of the Father. Over and over again it says that in Scripture: Romans 6:4, Galatians 1:1, 1 Peter 1:3. It also says in John 10:18, “I have power to lay My life down and I have power to take it up again.” He was raised not only by the Father, but He was raised by His own power. In Romans 8:11 it says He was raised by the power of the Spirit. “It is the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead.” These are not contradictions, the clear truth that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One. The whole Trinity is involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Behold, He Goes Before You Into Galilee (28:7) A fulfillment of prophecy. The angel's message is to tell them they will indeed see the resurrected Christ. There shall you see Him. They will become eye- witnesses when they see Him in Galilee. This is the climax of Matthew’s gospel. The promise of the resurrection would be fulfilled. Jesus said it in chapter 26:32, “After I am raised up, again I will go before you into Galilee.” I’ll meet you all in Galilee.
All Hail (28:9) - Jesus Greets them. "All Hail" in the Greek is "chairō" meaning "to joy, rejoice, be glad."
Be Not Afraid... Go Tell My Brethren (28:10) - The evidence of the resurrection. The women are now grasping the living Christ. Their emotions quickly change from mourning, and fear, to joy and hope in the risen Savior. “Go tell My brethren” – those who are now My brethren, those who now belong to Me who are in the family – Go tell them. Tell them that I’ll see them in Galilee. We’ll have a great convocation and commissioning there.”
Reported Among the Jews (28:15) - The willfulness of unbelief. The soldiers on watch knew that Christ was risen. They had felt the great earthquake and seen the angel break the seal and roll the stone away (28:2-4). They knew Christ was gone, and that the disciples could not have stolen the body. The chief priest knew it too. So great was their concern, that they persuaded the governor to seal the tomb and set the guard. The soldiers entrusted to guard the tomb under penalty of death. Yet here they all are willing to spread the lie that the disciples had stolen the body. The Jews were willing to believe the lie.
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning's Audio Message:
Matthew 28:1-10, 11-15 - "Jesus Raised Up"
Summary/Additional Bible Notes:
Today in our study of God’s Word we come to Matthew’s text on the resurrection of Jesus. In this wonderful chapter, Matthew gives His account of the greatest event in the history of the world, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the great cornerstone of the Christian faith, and what truly sets Jesus apart as completely unique. Everything that we are and have and ever hope to be, all that we believe in is predicated on the reality of the resurrection. There would be no Christianity if there were no resurrection. Conversely because there is a resurrection, all elements of our faith are affirmed as true in every sense. The resurrection then is the cornerstone of our faith.
In the New Testament, the first sermon ever preached in the church was on the day the church was born and was preached by Peter in Acts 2. It's a sermon on the resurrection and it became the theme of all apostolic preaching. Peter preached again on the resurrection in chapter 4 and again in chapter 10. Stephen preached the resurrection in chapter 7. Philip preached the resurrection in chapter 8. Paul preached the resurrection in chapter 9 and chapter 13 and all the way on to chapter 28 of Acts.
And then we come to the theme of the epistles and it is the resurrection. In Romans it says Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. In 1 Corinthians it says He rose again the third day according to the Scripture. In 2 Corinthians, He who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also. Galatians says by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. And we read in Ephesians which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. And Paul says in Philippians that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. And in Colossians, God who raised Him from the dead. And in 1 Thessalonians, His Son whom He raised from the dead. And Peter says that He has, in chapter 1 verse 3, begotten us to a living hope by the resurrection of Christ. And even when you come to the book of Revelation it begins by saying that Christ has the right to take the earth because it is He who was dead and is alive forever more.
The whole theme of the New Testament is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is the foundation of all our hope. For it was Jesus who said, “Because I live, ye shall live also.”
It was Jesus who said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” The resurrection is the core of all that we believe. And so this morning we come with great excitement to read this record of our Lord’s resurrection.
“He is risen!” These are 3 words that have changed the very outlook and trajectory of all humankind. These 3 words are the key to the Christian faith.
For just as Jesus promised, He rose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection reveals that He is Living and Ruler of His eternal kingdom. It is the resurrection of Jesus that brings us each a hope that beyond this life of which we live. Death is not the end. It is merely the beginning. Remarkably, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit is within each Believer as He raises us from our own spiritual death to life.
Today in our study of God’s Word we come to Matthew’s text on the resurrection of Jesus. In this wonderful chapter, Matthew gives His account of the greatest event in the history of the world, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the great cornerstone of the Christian faith, and what truly sets Jesus apart as completely unique. Everything that we are and have and ever hope to be, all that we believe in is predicated on the reality of the resurrection. There would be no Christianity if there were no resurrection. Conversely because there is a resurrection, all elements of our faith are affirmed as true in every sense. The resurrection then is the cornerstone of our faith.
In the New Testament, the first sermon ever preached in the church was on the day the church was born and was preached by Peter in Acts 2. It's a sermon on the resurrection and it became the theme of all apostolic preaching. Peter preached again on the resurrection in chapter 4 and again in chapter 10. Stephen preached the resurrection in chapter 7. Philip preached the resurrection in chapter 8. Paul preached the resurrection in chapter 9 and chapter 13 and all the way on to chapter 28 of Acts.
And then we come to the theme of the epistles and it is the resurrection. In Romans it says Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. In 1 Corinthians it says He rose again the third day according to the Scripture. In 2 Corinthians, He who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also. Galatians says by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. And we read in Ephesians which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. And Paul says in Philippians that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. And in Colossians, God who raised Him from the dead. And in 1 Thessalonians, His Son whom He raised from the dead. And Peter says that He has, in chapter 1 verse 3, begotten us to a living hope by the resurrection of Christ. And even when you come to the book of Revelation it begins by saying that Christ has the right to take the earth because it is He who was dead and is alive forever more.
The whole theme of the New Testament is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is the foundation of all our hope. For it was Jesus who said, “Because I live, ye shall live also.”
It was Jesus who said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” The resurrection is the core of all that we believe. And so this morning we come with great excitement to read this record of our Lord’s resurrection.
“He is risen!” These are 3 words that have changed the very outlook and trajectory of all humankind. These 3 words are the key to the Christian faith.
For just as Jesus promised, He rose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection reveals that He is Living and Ruler of His eternal kingdom. It is the resurrection of Jesus that brings us each a hope that beyond this life of which we live. Death is not the end. It is merely the beginning. Remarkably, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit is within each Believer as He raises us from our own spiritual death to life.
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Began to dawn (28:1) - means the beginning of the twilight before sunrise.
Great Earthquake (28:2) - This is the second earthquake in just three days. There was an earthquake when Christ died, you remember, that split the rocks wide open and opened graves and dead people came alive among the saints. This is the second earthquake. God again is moving and demonstrating in a physiological way His activity. (See: Exodus 19:18, at the giving of the law; 1 Kings 19:11, God came in an earthquake; Joel 2:10, at the time of the coming of the Lord there will be an earthquake; Matthew 24:7, Jesus Himself even referred to it in the great Olivet Discourse about the earthquake that’s going to be coming, or earthquakes, attendant with His return. When God begins to move in the world the world shakes.
Countenance Like Lightning (28:3) - Countenance or his face ... like lightning, flashing, brilliant, blazing. It is the glow of God transmitted to these angelic creatures,
His Raiment ... White As Snow (28:3) - His Clothing, white as snow, signifying purity, holiness or virtue.
Angel of the Lord (28:2) - Angel means messenger. They are ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation.
As He Said (28:6) - Many times we have read angels saying, "fear not." These messengers from God gently remind both the women and the disciples what Jesus had repeatedly promised that He would rise from the dead in the third day.
As He Said (28:6) - Many times we have read angels saying, "fear not." These messengers from God gently remind both the women and the disciples what Jesus had repeatedly promised that He would rise from the dead in the third day.
Behold, He Goes Before You Into Galilee (28:7) A fulfillment of prophecy. The angel's message is to tell them they will indeed see the resurrected Christ. There shall you see Him. They will become eye- witnesses when they see Him in Galilee. This is the climax of Matthew’s gospel. The promise of the resurrection would be fulfilled. Jesus said it in chapter 26:32, “After I am raised up, again I will go before you into Galilee.” I’ll meet you all in Galilee.
All Hail (28:9) - Jesus Greets them. "All Hail" in the Greek is "chairō" meaning "to joy, rejoice, be glad."
Be Not Afraid... Go Tell My Brethren (28:10) - The evidence of the resurrection. The women are now grasping the living Christ. Their emotions quickly change from mourning, and fear, to joy and hope in the risen Savior. “Go tell My brethren” – those who are now My brethren, those who now belong to Me who are in the family – Go tell them. Tell them that I’ll see them in Galilee. We’ll have a great convocation and commissioning there.”
Reported Among the Jews (28:15) - The willfulness of unbelief. The soldiers on watch knew that Christ was risen. They had felt the great earthquake and seen the angel break the seal and roll the stone away (28:2-4). They knew Christ was gone, and that the disciples could not have stolen the body. The chief priest knew it too. So great was their concern, that they persuaded the governor to seal the tomb and set the guard. The soldiers entrusted to guard the tomb under penalty of death. Yet here they all are willing to spread the lie that the disciples had stolen the body. The Jews were willing to believe the lie.
All Power (28:18) - This constitutes a clear claim to omnipotence, and therefore to deity. Jesus was omnipotent Creator in the beginning (John 1:1-3), He laid aside His deity to become man and die for the sin of the world (Ph 2:5-8). Now, having become Redeemer as well as Creator, He has again assumed all the attributes of God, as well as those of glorified man.
Go Ye Therefore (28:19) - At this point, Jesus had already told them He was sending them into all the world to make disciples.
Holy Ghost (28:19) - The doctrine of the Trinity is clearly taught here. One God, yet three Persons each equally and full God - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Observe All Things (28:20 -All things mean all things. We cannot profess Christ while rejection any of His teachings (biblical inerrancy, literal creation, global flood, virgin birth, resurrection from the dead). It's all, or none!
With You Alway (28:20) - Christ has ascended back to heaven, but He is present in every believer in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).
What does the Resurrection mean?
What does the Resurrection mean?
- The Word of God is true. The record of the Word of God is true. It affirms the truthfulness of Scripture.
- Jesus is the Son of God as He claimed to be.
- Jesus is God, with the power over sin and death.
- Salvation is complete, that on the cross He conquered sin and death and hell and rose victorious.
- The Church is established. in Matthew 16 He said, “I’ll build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it?” And the gates of hell is a colloquial expression for death in that culture. He says, “I’ll build My church and death won’t stop Me,” and it didn’t. His resurrection proved that death could not stop Him from building His church.
- Judgment is coming. The Judge is alive who will judge every man and women and determine their eternal destiny.
- Heaven is waiting. In John 14 He said, “I’m going to go away, but if I go, I will come again. And when I go, I go to prepare a place for you, because in My Father’s house are many mansions.” Heaven is waiting and Christ is preparing it for His own.
