He has risen

Matthew 28:1-20

Key Verse 28:5, 6

We studied Jesus’ death 2 week ago. Jesus died for our wage of sin and death according to the Scripture. Jesus’ suffering prophesies Isa 53 in the old Testament. Jesus told his disciples that he would suffer may things, and must be killed and on the third day he raised to life several times after Peter’s confession. (Mt16:21-22, 17:22-23, 20:18,19, 26;31,32, Lk9:22,18:31-33). He came to die in this world. it is his purpose to come this world as the flesh even though he is Son of living God.

He rose from the dead according to the Scripture. (Lk24:6-8)

Resurrection is the greatest event of our history as his crucifixion is same. Gospel was accomplished through Jesus’ cross and resurrection. Resurrection is the proof that Jesus defeated the power of darkness. He even defeated the death which is our most serious enemy of human beings.

He rose from the death as he told many times. (16:21, 17:22, 20:19, 26:31). He is our first fruit of resurrection. We can have the hope later like Jesus even though we die. Without his resurrection, our Christianity will be in vain.

Today’s passage tells us women’s witness. After they met risen Jesus, their lives were completely changed great joy from the full of grief.

1. What happened when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb? (1-4) What were they looking for? (5) How are our lives when we don’t believe Jesus’ resurrection?

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2There 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

-this was at dawn, Sunday early morning. Why did women go to tomb? (Mk 16:1)

The other Mary was the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(Mt 27:56)

Luke 8:2 tells us who Mary Magdalene is- “also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;”

They loved Jesus so much. They dedicated to follow Jesus after they were healed from him. They came to put the fragrant oil to Jesus’ body. These women didn’t believe Jesus’ resurrection.

-After Jesus died on the cross, they were so sorrow and filled with fear even though they loved Jesus so much. They had fear; something our Christian life. We have all kinds of fear as we live Christian life. The fear is very closely connected with death .The string of sin is death. All kind of fear comes from the fear of death. (fatal sickness, cancer, heart attack, car accidents and so on). The fear will disappear after we meet the risen Jesus because he conquered the death.

-There were supernatural event happened. Angels came down from heaven and rolled back the stone. It is absurd to jail risen Christ in the tomb by men’s power.

1. However, what was angel’s message? (6) If Jesus was not raised from the dead, what will become of our faith and Christian life? (1Co 15:12-20, 29-34)? What does “He has risen” mean? (Jn 11:25-26,1Co 15:40-44, 55-58)

6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”[d]

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[e]34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

-he has risen-tense is present tense –it meant always present. He completely defeated the power of death. His resurrection is forever. (Re 1:18)

Risen Jesus showed up Peter, John, 12 disciples and 500 people and Paul.(1 Co15). Those people who met Jesus were changed their lives. Magdalene Mary didn’t recognize Jesus.(Jn 20:13-16) He looked Jesus as a gardener. Jesus opened her eyes. Jesus is with us even through we don’t recognize him like Mary (Jn11)

1) His resurrection proves that our sin is forgiven through his death and resurrection. Jesus didn’t die because of his weakness but he voluntarily died to accomplish our salvation work. Without his resurrection, it is not proof that he died for our sin and death. Indeed, he rose from the dead.

2) It is proof that he defeated the power of darkness. Christians, who belong to Christ, are no longer sting the fear of death. Even though we die, we will live again.

3) Jesus is our first fruit. We who belong to Jesus will be rose up again as new heavenly body even though we die. So, We are no longer afraid to death Jesus defeated death. We can have true hope of kingdom of God through his resurrection.

4) Jesus is still alive. His resurrection is present tense.(Jn11:25) He is living upon those who believe in. He defeated the power darkness and won against the darkness, which is Satan’s weapon, so we can overcome the power of darkness because the one who dwell in us is much more powerful than the death, and world. (Jn 16:33, 1Jn 5:4-5, 5:18) Heb 2:14,15.

1. What did the angel say to the women? (7) What change occurred in the inner being of the women? (8) What did the risen Jesus tell them to do? (9-10)

7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.

-angel’s message-not lingering around tomb but go quickly to his disciples to tell.

-they hurried away from tomb to share what angel told to them with full of joy.

-Greeting-peace. Galilee was the place where he called them and trained them Now, he wanted to minister them. He wanted to restore their calling and mission. We have to go our Galilee. After they met risen Jesus, they were healed and restored.

1. What did some of guards report? (11) What did the chief priests try to devise the truth of Jesus’ resurrection? (12-15)

11 While the women were on their way, 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.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

1. What did the disciples do at the first thing when they met the risen Jesus? (16) What great commission did Jesus give to them even though some of them doubted? (28:19, 20, Mt16: 24-26) What is the source of our strength to accomplish the great commission? (20b)

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in£ the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in£ the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

-Lordship-submission, devotion,

-worship-giving our love and fear.

-worship in Bible is fundamental matter (Ex23:25,26).worship were repeated 155 times in Whole Bible. The purpose of deliverance from Egypt for Israelite was to restore worship. Dt –describes what kinds of blessing and come upon them who worship him and warning when they neglected it. Restoring worship is such important matter. If worship is restored, kingdom of God come upon us. If worship is restored, everything will be restored. Are you truly worship him with spirit and truth? That is fundamental matter about your blessing.

That is personal matter too. What is worship? It is kingship. Whom we worship? Toward king. Do you really trust Jesus as your Lord and King of kings? If our attitude of worship him in inner and outward, our lives will be changed. Worship is not just time to listen message. Worship is to King of kings who is our creator. God really want to receive true worship from us.

-Key point of Jesus Great commission

-go- should go field. Without going, nothing happen.

-Make disciples- it hard to practice it. However it is Jesus’ great commission. –teach them until they understand and accept and obey God’s words.

-Baptize-united with Christ.- symbol- our oldselves were dead, our newselves arise.

-Teach- teach them everything Jesus told us until they obey. –give love, mentor and to be satisfied.

-obey.

Making disciples is the example of Jesus’ ministry. His key work was discipleship.

How can we do it? –it seems like too hard and much work. However God is with us. So this great commission should be continued. He promised with us he will be with us until the end of very age.