Matthew 28:1-10
The reason why “Good Friday” is called good, is because Jesus died for our sins that we may be brought to God (See 1 Peter 3:8). That Friday is also called good because it is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. Good Friday carries much meaning because of Easter Sunday. The death of Christ looks forward to the His resurrection Sunday as He predicted numerous times. Today, as we observed Easter, we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What significance does the resurrection of Christ have in our lives?
1. We have a historic event to celebrate.
“2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone, and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men… “some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” Matthew 28:2-4,11-12
· An angel appeared and announced Jesus’ resurrection.
· Roman guards were so terrified seeing a powerful angel that they passed out.
· The terror of seeing angelic beings was a common response in the Bible (Acts 10:2-5; Luke 1:11-13; 2:9-10).
· The Jewish religious leaders, in connivance with the elders of the city, bribed the soldiers to propagate fake news in an attempt to deny Christ’s resurrection.
2. We have eyewitnesses to the resurrection.
“5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6
· Three women were the first to have witnessed the empty tomb.
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:1
· God rewarded these women for their love and devotion to the Lord.
“2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.” Luke 24:2-4
· The empty tomb did not necessarily prove the resurrection, but it was a necessary part of the resurrection.
“14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:14-16
· Two villagers walking to Emmaus met the risen Lord along the way.
“36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36.
· The risen Jesus also appeared to his disciples.
Sometime later, Flavius Josephus, a 1st century historian, documented in his “Antiquities XVIII, Chapter III, Para. 3” that “Jesus appeared to them alive again.”
3. We found our life’s purpose from the resurrected Christ.
“18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
· Jesus commissioned his followers to share him to the world and make disciples of those who would believe their message.
· We must live by this purpose of sharing the good news of Easter Sunday.
Questions for Bible Study Discussion:
· How did the reality of Jesus’ resurrection impact your life?
· What hope have you received from the Lord’s resurrection?
· Why did the soldiers, who saw the angel roll away the stone, go to the high priests?
· What did the high priests say to them?
· Who were the first witnesses to the empty tomb?
· Did the empty tomb outrightly prove Jesus’ resurrection?
· Why is the empty tomb important?
· What is the significance of the angel appearing inside the tomb?
· What reasons can you give to the doubters of the resurrection?
· In what ways can you fulfill the great commission as your life’s purpose?
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