Sunday 5th April
Matthew 28:1-20 | ARON HARINGMAN
PASSAGE:
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
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.
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. 7 Then 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.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
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.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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.”
DEVOTION:
While digging into Matthew 28, I have been deeply moved by the journey of the ordinary women, Mary and Mary, as they become the first witnesses of the risen Jesus (v1-10). My hope and prayer is that we will join them in their wonderful discovery.
Today, you might be exhausted and weary, anxious or angry, grieving, feeling guilty, stressed beyond belief, fed up with it all. Do you approach the tomb of the slain Saviour broken and shattered like the women that morning?
Well, I encourage you, look at the stone rolled away! The earth shakes, the seal breaks, and the guards are cast aside – what power could do such an astonishing thing?
See the shining angel, sitting upon the stone like a conquering warrior triumphing over their slain foe.
Hear the powerful angelic messenger, declaring “He is not here; he has risen”! What glorious news to proclaim!
Let us enter into Christ’s death, into the dark tomb, and behold - His body is not here! The death cave can hold Him no more!
Like the faithful women, respond to the call, and “go quickly and tell”. Today, may we run, ‘afraid yet filled with joy’, hurrying to rejoice from the depths of our souls. What greater motivation could be needed? In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “rejoice greatly and shout for joy” (Isa 35:2).
As we leave the scene of Heaven’s victory, would we be expectant of our Saviour to appear, with “Greetings”, like an old friend.
Come, and respond to our risen Lord as the Marys did, falling at His feet in worship. I pray we will look up to the victorious King with eyes of utmost reverence, and hearts overflowing with adoration.
My friends, the Everlasting to Everlasting has won, the Great I Am could not be stopped, our Lord Jesus Christ has thwarted evil’s futile attempts to stop God’s rescue plan.
Death does not have the final say - His resurrection has declared it!
