RESURRECTION OF
CHRIST-as seen by MATTHEW’S GOSPEL 28.
The Sabbath had
passed, suggesting that the Jewish era had concluded. Many of the Old testament prophecies had been fulfilled. ‘The
first day of the week , the beginning of a new era, had dawned. Two women had
come to see the tomb, especially to embalm the body of the Lord. Surprisingly, gloriously-transformed, Mary
Magdalene was present. With the other Mary.
No Richter
scale could register the earthquake, described as a great one. The Lord holds
together His universe, sending an earthquake at the stupendous time of His
crucifixion and now in exultant triumph, recording His rising from the dead. Heaven was present, ‘For an angel of the
Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door
and sat upon it, ‘ How could an angel, not having sinned, understand the
mystery of the Lord’s death, entombment and now rising again? Heaven’s throne had commissioned him. (v2)
His appearance
was striking; his countenance like lightning, and his clothing as white as
snow.’ He would have glowed with supernatural light; and his clothing reflected
heaven’s purity. He came from the realm
of eternal life to a grave yard.
Like the
trembling earth, ‘The guards trembled, shaking for fear of him, and became like
dead men.’ The brutal beasts of the
cross scene cowered as trembling wretches.
How could they stand before their mighty Maker and Judge of all?
Heaven had
briefed the angel, who said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know you seek
Jesus who was crucified.’ Then he amazed,
declaring, ‘HE is not here for He is risen, as he said, ‘Come, see the
place where the <Lord lay.’ Further,
he said, ‘Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and
indeed, he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’ The angel had effectively
fulfilled his mission. He could now
return to heaven’s throne.
The angel had
spoken of the Lord by His earthly name. Jesus, and not JEHOVAH. All heaven had
been mystified at Israel’s rejection and execution of the HOLY Son.
Heaven would have erupted into song when the Son rose triumphantly from
the grave. From their sheltered
background, angels could not understand death- nor the conquest when Christ was
raised to life. The angel’s joyful
voice invited them to observe the tomb, where the grave clothes explained the
undeniable certainty. Missionary-like, he urgently directed them to tell the
disciples this marvellous truth.
We assume the
women inspected the tomb before ‘They departed quickly from the tomb with fear
and great joy. Their faith surged. Immediately obedient, ‘They ran to bring His
disciples word.’ Fearful, yet hearts
bursting with joy, they sprinted to carry the message of the angel. God entrusted two women with the
hard-to-believe information for the
Lord’s followers. Women have an
essential role in serving their Lord.
God chose Mary of Magdalene, despite her having been a woman of ill-
fame.
Puffing and
panting, ‘They went to tell His disciples, ‘When a miracle occurred. ‘Behold,
Jesus met them, greeting them with one command, ‘Rejoice.’ The sound of His
voice stirred memories of His teaching; showing His tender regard for these
women. especially as they had wept during His cross-bearing. They had heard their risen Lord, for no
other voice was like the ‘Sound of many waters’. He was alive from the
dead. Hallelujah!
They grasped
His feet, totally assured of the resurrection of the life that had been
pinioned to the brutal cross, only three days before. They had seen Him
crucified: then gently lifted the cold, marred, dead body of the beloved
Son of God, as they anointed Him for the tomb.
Now they held Him, not with sensual touch, for He was their Lord.
‘They
worshipped Him,’ (v9) Scripture did not record the passionate adoration poured
out for their risen Lord in that extraordinary moment. In our hearts, we too
should cherish our Lord, and adore Him,
Who meets us in our daily walk.
He comforted
hem with His ’Fear not’, the recurring note of the resurrection
encounters. He looked for fearless
followers, knowing that fear paralyses or restrains His children, now called to
energetically witness in a hostile world.
‘Do not be
afraid,’ the saviour exhorted them. (v10) I summon you to tell ’My brethren to
go to Galilee, and there shall they see Me.’ Why had our Lord chosen Galilee
for a meeting with His treasured followers? He had taught much precious truth
in that region. He had turned the
water into un fermented wine at Cana of Galilee. He had walked on the water, commanding Peter to follow Him
obediently.
He had
quietened the storm on the Sea of Galilee, with his authoritative, ’Peace be
still.’ He had blessed the offering of the laddie with his five barley loaves
and two small fish, feeding the vast crowd of five thousand men, not including
women and children. Christ meets us
at our Galilees, where he has touched our lives.
‘Now while they
were going,’ is the cryptic record of the excited, brave, women, who responded
immediately to their Saviour’s call.
They did not hesitate, after the risen Lord had given such irresistible
evidence of His triumph. They knew
their Lord was alive from the dead. The two Mary’s have exemplified obedience
to each generation.
Oh, that we
would react instinctively when summoned
to serve His holy Person!
Will you
kindly ask your church or fellowship to include this site on their programme.