Jesus is Risen!

Verses 1-10

In the opening verses of Matthew’s last chapter, we read about the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour and the Great Commission that our Lord gave to His disciples. Firstly, we come to the great day and time when Christ rose from the grave on the third day. The resurrection of Christ is a truth that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. This fundamental fact is described and written about in all four Gospels with absolute clarity. He rose again!

The resurrection of Christ is the seal of the great work of redemption. It is the crowning proof that a debt was owned, and a debt was paid on our behalf. 1 Corinthians 15:16-22 says, “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Let us look at some more Scripture verses that point out to us the importance of this great event of history. Romans 8:34 says, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 4:25 says, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” By looking at these verses we understand that we have many reasons to be thankful for this glorious truth. The enemies of God desire to disprove this fact. Yet, in spite of ungodly and unbelieving men, this fact of Christ cannot be disproven. There is overwhelming evidence and proof that Christ really did rise again.

The grave could not keep our Lord. The sting of death was not enough to stop Christ and the grave did not have victory over his body. An angel was a witness of His rising and angels shall be the messengers when all the saints of God shall rise again. Christ rose with a renewed body and so shall His people. Those bodies of believers who are now in the grave are waiting for that glorious day when they shall rise again.

May we also draw our attention to the fear that Christ’s enemies felt when He rose from the dead. We are told in the text that at the sight of the angel, “the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” These hard and tough Roman soldiers were in so much fear that they froze as dead men. Such a sight caused them to quail in shock and fear. Their courage melted away once they saw the angel of God.

May we also notice the words of comfort in which the angel addressed the friends of Christ. We read in the text, “Fear not ye: for I know ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.” The men and women whose God is the Lord are blessed. This gracious message which the Lord sent to the disciples after His resurrection is a great comfort to all who hear it. His first thought is for His scattered flock, “Go, tell my brethren.” There is something comforting about those words, “my brethren.” Even though they came short of their profession of faith and faithfulness to Him, Christ still called them, his “brethren.”

Let us see in these words of Christ all the more reason to trust Him and follow Him. Our Saviour is one who will never leave nor forsake His people. Christ is not only our Lord and Saviour He is also our great High Priest and our elder brother.

The Great Commission

Verses 11-20

These verses conclude the Gospel of St. Matthew. They show us how unbelieving mankind believes anything apart from the truth. They also show us the weakness of men and women and how reluctant they are to believe the Gospel.

Firstly, let us look at the honour that is placed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth.” On the grounds of Christ’s authority, the disciples are sent out to, “make disciples of all nations.” The mission does not end with conversion, but continues to the, “teaching them to observe all” that Christ commanded. The name of Jesus Christ has power and authority. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” It is at the name of Jesus that every knee will one day bow and every tongue will confess that He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. This is a simple truth that the eternal Godhead reigns over all creation. Jesus, as the Son of man, is the one and only Mediator between God and man. There is no salvation outside of Him. In Christ, there is a foundation of mercy, grace, life, and hope. He that has Christ has everything.

Secondly, let us look at the duty which Jesus gives to His disciples. He tells them to, “go and teach all nations.” They are not to keep the Gospel to themselves. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Salvation is not only for the Jewish people, but also for all who repent and believe in the Messiah’s message of grace. The disciples were given the task of going into all the world to tell men and women that Christ had died for sinners and that there is salvation to be found in Him alone. It is the duty of all believers to share the Good News of the Gospel with the lost and dying.

Thirdly, let us look at the public profession of faith that is required from those who believe the Gospel. Jesus tells the disciples to “baptise” them who receive Him as Lord and Saviour. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward work of grace in the life of a sinner.  That outward baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation; the case of the thief on the cross next to Christ plainly shows that. However, baptism does matter as it declares before the assembly and the world that a sinner identifies with Christ. We must take up our cross daily and follow Christ. Mark 8:38 says, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Matthew 10:32 says, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

Fourthly, let us draw our attention to the obedience that Christ demands from all believers. He says, “obey all that I have commanded you.” These words of Christ shows us that a mere confession or agreement is not enough. A believer must obey the teachings of Scripture. Mere confession does not save a man’s soul, heart religion and repentance is the key. Obedience is the only proof of the reality of faith. Faith without works is dead being alone (James 2:17-16). Jesus declares that we are His friends and followers if we obey Him (John 15:14).

Fifthly, let us observe the great work of the divine Godhead. We serve a triune God. He is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The doctrine of the Trinity is one that is beyond human understanding and reasoning. We serve One God in three persons. Jesus tells us to baptise, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” The three are co-equal, co-eternal, and all members of the Godhead. This truth is a great mystery of true religion. May we believe it by faith and seek not to explain it as the human mind is unable to explain such great truth. It is childish folly to attempt to explain things that we do not understand. There are many doctrines in Scripture that are beyond our thoughts, the virgin birth of Christ being another one that we just must accept by faith. Remember we are commanded to believe, not to understand or explain everything.

Finally, let us draw our attention to the gracious words of comfort and hope that Christ closes with. He says, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” May all true Christian people lay hold on these words of Christ, they are words of great wisdom and strength. Christ is with us. He dwells in all believers. Wherever we go He is with us. He is with us daily to forgive and pardon us. He is with us daily to defend and keep us. He is with us daily in sorrow, sickness, joy and happiness. He is with us in every part and stage of life. What stronger hope and peace could believers hold to than this? Nothing can be better than to be a follower and friend of the Lord Jesus Christ.