The resurrection and the commission
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| Matt.
27:66 So they [the Jewish leaders] went, and made the sepulchre sure,
sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
28:1 ¶ 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. |
1
- The other Mary Although it seems unlikely, the "other Mary"
here could have been Jesus' mother jn1926.
Matthew clearly did not see her as some kind of superhuman. The reason
for the emphasis on Mary Magdalene is, no doubt, because of her active
role in the present story. This Mary was likely the mother of James and
Salome mr1601 or of Joses, mr1547.
(Jesus had a brother, James, although this was likely a different James.)
Someone proposed a proof that this resurrection text indicates a new day of worship. See note. |
| .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. 6 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. |
Read the text
thoughtfully. The glory surrounding one angel was overpowering. What effect
did it have on the women?
4 - Keepers did shake The fallen cherub has a similar power over those who submit to him. He can make people crippled and then remove his spell at the word of his human agent who claims that the Lord has healed them. I've watched television preachers touch a person who then loses ability to stand. The person lays on the floor trembling and the spell is often continued for several days. How do we know whether or not the power is from God? Partly by the message being preached. Messages inspired by the prince of darkness generally lack the call to repentance and turning from sin. Compare 1jo0304, ac0238, and see on ja0513ff. God had a purpose for overpowering the guards. For those who accept, God offers the power of clear thinking, not of being under hypnotic influence 2ti0107. Miracles are not the test of holiness or truth re1313a. They will be the tool of false religion as the affairs of this earth come to a climax re1614. May the Holy Spirit enlighten our understanding as we seek the Lord. 7 - Go quickly and tell The women cared about their Lord (28:1, above) and Jesus gave the joy of telling the disciples. They ran! |
| .9
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,
All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. |
9 - Held Him by the feet This would have been after He returned from meeting with His Father in heaven jn2017. |
 .11
¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the
city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 12 - Money The Jews and the soldiers were both in trouble. And today we have probably exceeded this wickedness. What price would I accept to deny my Lord? By His grace, none! May that be your pledge, too. 13 - Saying ... disciples stole Accepting the lie was sweetened by the money and promise to keep Pilate from punishing them. 15 - Commonly reported The Jewish leaders bore the guilt of deception and murder. They must also have lost the respect of the people which they had killed Jesus to keep. Sadly a great number of Christians prefer the lie to the simple truth of Scripture. They aren't afraid of the Romans or the Jews but, in their pride, they turn away from accounts that they can't explain with their wisdom and education. Image from
The
Desire of Ages, 1898
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| .16
¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain
where Jesus had appointed them.
.17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. .18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. .19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: .20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. |
17
- Some doubted This didn't stop the command or the work although
it no doubt could have been done better.
18 - All power Jesus received all power for all places (heaven and earth) and commissioned His followers to teach all nations in the name of all members of the triune God, all truth and would be with them for all time until the end of the age. His power or authority in heaven would soon be exercised as our High Priest he0414, he0726, he0801. 19 - Baptizing them Baptism was to be accompanied by teaching. I responded to a woman with questions about baptism. See note.  |
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