Matthew 28:1

The Bible says in Matthew 28:1-5, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.” In this description of the resurrection of Christ we notice in verse one that the Sabbath has ended. In other words all of the events described in the first part of Matthew chapter 28 took place on Sunday. This is the reason that Christians started having their worship services on Sunday: to celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Of course, three days before this day Jesus had died for the sins of the world on the cross of Calvary. His disciples thought that Jesus’ death was like any other death and that they would never see Him again. The fact that these women came to see the sepulcher is evidence that the women were hoping that He had risen, because Jesus promised that He would. The Bible says in Matthew 16:21, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” It says in Matthew 17:22-23, “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:[23] And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” It also says in Matthew 20:17-19, “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,[18] Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,[19] And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Everyone knew that Jesus said He would die, and that He would rise from the dead on the third day after His death. Because these women acted on faith in His word, they received the blessing of seeing great events and being the first to see Jesus rise from the dead. The lesson is this: learn the promises of God and make your decisions with confidence in those promises. If you do that, you also will see and experience great things from God.

The resurrection from the dead was a significant event in the life of Christ, and so there were significant happenings when Jesus rose from the dead to signify that something extraordinary had taken place. There was a “great earthquake.” An angel came down from heaven and appeared to all the people who were at the gravesite: the guards and the two Marys. Why were there only two believers here at the gravesite? Because Jesus had died, and we all know what death means. Death is final. If you go to a graveyard, you will not find anyone doing anything. Not one of the dead will be playing baseball, or singing a song, or preaching a sermon, or having a picnic because they are dead. That is one of the things that makes Jesus’ resurrection so significant. He conquered death. Jesus showed that there really is life after death. That is such a wonderful victory because death is the greatest enemy and the final enemy of mankind. If you solve all the other problems of life, but have no solution to the death problem, then you have solved nothing.

Notice that at the first Easter, both the guards and the women were afraid. When the guards saw the angel, it says about them in Matthew 28:4, “And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” When the angel spoke, he did not speak to the guards: he spoke to the believers, and the angel said in verse 5, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.” One of the first benefits of believing in Jesus is to have courage and confidence. Belief and trust in Christ can cast away all fear. If the fear of death, the greatest enemy of mankind is taken away, what is there to fear? If you have fears, the way to find victory over those fears is to do what these women did: “seek Jesus.” Jesus is the Master of the Universe. He can certainly calm your heart.

The angel continued speaking to the women, and the Bible says in Matthew 28:6-8, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” Two of the great truths about Jesus are found here in the beginning of Matthew chapter 28. The first is found in verse 5, “ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.” Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross. Jesus died on that cross for the sins of the world. Jesus died in our place. Because Jesus died for us, we can all be forgiven of our sins, if we repent and ask Him for forgiveness. The second great truth about Jesus is that He rose from the dead. The angel said in verse 6, “He is not here: for he is risen.” Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus suffered human physical and spiritual death on our behalf, and then He rose from the dead. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was one more proof that He was God. When Jesus rose from the dead, it demonstrated that there is life after death. When Jesus rose from the dead, He showed us that we also would have a resurrected body to live with Him forever. Jesus showed that He conquered death, the last great enemy of mankind.

The resurrection from the dead is an essential part of the gospel. Even in the first century there were some who tried to discount the resurrection from the dead, the Holy Spirit gave Paul the words to address this. Paul wrote in First Corinthians 15:12-23, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:[17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.[18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.[21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.[23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.”

Some false teachers in the first century began teaching that there is no resurrection. There are many false teachers both inside and outside of Christianity. They will deceive you both with their doctrine as in this case and with their emphasis and interpretation. Because Christ rose from the dead, every believer will also rise from the dead. It is that simple. Because we believe in Jesus, God sets us on a path to experience what Jesus experienced. He rose from the dead, and so will we. But it is interesting to notice that the scripture tells us that if Jesus had not risen from the dead, we would still be in our sins. Why is that? One reason is that after Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven. What does Jesus do in heaven? One important thing that Jesus does for each believer is that He stands as our advocate and intermediary. Should any accusations be brought against us (and the devil will bring them), Jesus stands in our behalf to defend us and to pronounce us innocent. That is what is meant by First John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
[2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Talking about Jesus, it also says in Hebrews 7:24-25, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.[25] Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” If Jesus did not rise from the dead, He would not be always alive to always make intercession for us. We are such great sinners, we need Him to always be making intercession for us. The death on the cross was part of us being saved, but so is the rising from the dead and always making intercession for us a part of us being saved. Both are absolutely necessary.

The Bible says in First Corinthians 15:25-33, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.[26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.[27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.[28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.[29] Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?[30] And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?[31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.[32] If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.[33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” The first part of this passage tells us other things that Jesus is involved with now that He is alive for ever. He is not inactive: He is an active living Being. First Corinthians 15:25 says, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” “He must reign.” Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus rules over the affairs of men and angels. Jesus opens doors of opportunity and closes them. Jesus lifts up and casts down.

Another thing that our risen Lord is doing is that He is putting “all enemies under his feet.” His desire is to conquer the hearts of men and women. If you are saved from your sins, it happened because Jesus conquered you. Those who once were enemies become subservient to Jesus. The day is coming when everyone will become subservient to Him. It is better to do so now while you have the opportunity to surrender to Him with your own free will. The day is coming when Jesus will defeat all the armies of the world at the battle of Armageddon, and Jesus will destroy the antichrist and any other world ruler who opposes Jesus. They may be vain and arrogant now thinking that they have gained by their deceit and lies, but the Judge is coming and they will face Him. It says in Philippians 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”

The Bible says in First Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” The first enemy of mankind is the last that will be destroyed. In the Garden of Eden God said to Adam in Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Death is a terrible thing: the finality of it, the darkness of it, and the separation of it. For those left behind death can bring sorrow, loneliness, regret, and guilt. Death will take away what anyone has ever gained or accomplished. Death is a thief. This verse in First Corinthians 15:26 says it very well. It calls death an “enemy.” But thank God the enemy will be “destroyed” because Jesus rose from the dead.

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