Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
2. The Determined Resurrection of the Crucified (Matthew 28:5-7)
MATTHEW 28:5-7
5 The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 12:40, 16:21, 17, 23, 20:19, 26:32)
The angel’s testimony demands attention. God sent him on behalf of everyone to the women so that all of mankind may recognize His miraculous work. The man Jesus had truly risen from the dead.
God had honored the women by sending an angel to them and shielded them from being afraid. He declared to them the thoughts of their hearts, that they loved Jesus, and thought of Him. The angel did not reprove the women for not remembering Jesus’ words, but spoke to them as if they were small children, for they were severely puzzled. The tomb was open, the guards lie on the ground like dead men, and the shining angel spoke to them. This was beyond their feelings and minds.
The dazzling angel told the shocked women that he knew their intentions. They were searching for the dead body of the crucified Jesus. This divine revelation strikes all who deny the cross and claim that Jesus was not crucified. The Son of Mary had completed salvation on the ugly cross, bringing salvation to everyone who believes in the Lamb of God. The angel declared to the perplexed women, that Christ was risen and that the body of Jesus was not there. He directed their attention to the place where He was laid that they might see that the tomb in the rock was really empty.
The shining angel testified to Christ’s resurrection, truthfully proclaiming that He arose by His own power. The Son of Man had overcome and defeated death. This is the hope of millions, to escape death. Christ has broken its power and has openly triumphed over it. He who clings to the living Jesus shall walk with Him through the valley of the shadow of death, but they shall fear no evil, and they shall enter into the fullness of life in paradise.
Then the angel reminded the women that he did not reveal to them anything new, but repeated what Jesus had told them before His death. This indicates that every word that Jesus said in the Gospels is very important and is worthy of all faith. The unrepentant does not believe, yet Jesus has offers forgiveness to all men. Today He gives His eternal life to whoever opens his heart to the Holy Spirit and gratefully receives His forgiveness.
The angel did not call Jesus “the Son of Man,” but “the Lord,” knowing that Christ descended from heaven, coming to man to deliver them from the bondage of the devil. The One who rested in the tomb was the Lord Himself, but He arose. All philosophers, prophets, and leaders died and their bones remain in their tombs, but our Lord has risen and has confirmed to us the hope of life by his resurrection.
After this miraculous event, the women became evangelists. They were the first eyewitnesses God chose to declare the resurrected Christ to the world. Even today believing girls and mothers can testify of the resurrection power of Christ to doubting men so they can receive hope from their testimony and partake of the newness of life in Jesus.
Thereafter the angel declared to the two women that Jesus would go before His disciples to Galilee as He had told them three days ago. He would appear to them in person. The Lord did not want to hide Himself, but to declare Himself to His beloved as soon as they believed the news of His glorious resurrection.
Lastly, the angel confirmed to the startled women that they should not forget anything he had told them. He had been sent to them by God that all men might hear the great and wonderful news, that the Crucified One is living. He is Lord and is triumphant over death, sin, and Satan.
Do you believe in the angel’s revelation, and in the women’s testimony?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are risen from among the dead. We glorify You and rejoice for death could not hold You, but You overcame it, defeated it, and are alive. We glorify You and rejoice because You opened to us the door of hope. Death is not the end, yet You give us everlasting life. Fill us with Your life, and receive us after our death. Help us to tell our acquaintances of Your triumph over death that they may repent as we did, obtain Your forgiveness of their sins, be sanctified with the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, and live with all living in eternal life.
QUESTION:
- What did the angel tell the two women?