The Eternal Victory of the King
Book of Matthew Chapter 28
There is so much of this world that knows about the Lord Jesus Christ that His existence cannot be denied!
All human history has been transformed by the person of Jesus Christ!
Even the calendar was changed because of the truth of Jesus Christ.
The Roman ruler of the known world acknowledged the truth of Jesus Christ.
So we can see that the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important event in all of history.
It is the greatest day for all Christians and all humanity!
You cannot be a Christian and deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ!
The Word of God does not give Christians the option of denying the deity of Jesus Christ!
You are not a believer, if you deny the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You are not a believer, if you deny the true life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You are not a believer, if you deny the "bodily" resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we say the "Good News" the "Gospel" then these are the things that should come to mind!
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Verse 1
*****Mat 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.
Sunday, the first day of the new week should remind all who have been "Born Again" that we cannot die. Oh, we may give up this wicked body of flesh, but our souls are bound for Heaven to be forever with our Holy God.
Sunday is the Lord's Day!
As Saturday, some say the Sabbath, the day of rest ends, we should lift our eyes toward Heaven and on the Lord's Day gaze upon the face of our Creator.
Sunday is the "Day of the Lord" and the day we need to worship the Living God!
It is the day to claim the Word of God for the coming week and all weeks in our future.
It is the day to show our gratitude for all the things our Lord has provided and to thank Him for all the things He has promised to provide!
It is the day to show the world we truly love the Lord.
It is a day to lift our eyes toward Heaven and just "Praise the Lord"!
It is the third day after the Lord Jesus was buried that Mary Magdalene and that other Mary, which to me means she was not the mother of Christ Jesus.
Surely the mother of our Lord would not have been described as "the other Mary".
She may have even been the sister to the Mother of Jesus as there were many forms of the name Mary such as Miriam.
We know at the death of the Lord Jesus she was with Mary the mother of Christ.
Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
It was these two Marys, that came to the tomb at the dawning of that Sunday morning.
*****Mat 28:2 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.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
As these two saints of God approached the location of the Tomb of Jesus there was suddenly an earthquake.
We should note that no one saw the Lord Jesus Christ exit from that tomb.
In fact the Lord Jesus Christ had left this tomb before any of these things occurred.
This angel had rolled away this stone that had been rolled into place by Joseph of Arimathea.
Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
We must never think that this angel removed the stone for the Lord Jesus to exit the tomb. He removed the stone so these women and any others could look into the tomb and see that Jesus was no longer there.
There had been at least four soldiers guarding the tomb of Jesus from the moment He was buried, and it can be said that these hardened soldiers became so afraid that they passed out.
Mat 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Mat 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Mat 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Mat 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
This also should give us some idea of how we may react when we first see the Lord face to face.
Every precaution was taken to ensure that no one came to remove the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Savior did not need any help to leave that tomb!
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
We should also understand that these guards, once they awoke, were also afraid for their own safety.
This tomb was like a jail in the sense that a guard could be executed for allowing a prisoner to escape, especially one whom the government had taken such precautions.
We should understand that the power of God is awesome, but it can also be terrifying.
These guards witnessed things that were unbelievable, and they did not know what to do.
Remember these were hardened soldiers who had been through many of the wars of Rome.
They became so afraid of their lives they went to the Chief Priest rather than their own commanders.
For these women, they did not know what to think, seeing all these things. Their only concern was for our Savior.
This is also a great lesson for us.
No matter what is going on in this world, we must stay focused upon our Savior!
This angel answered because he understood the conversation that was taking place between these women.
*****Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
We can be sure that these believers were afraid just as any of us would have been.
This angel calmed their fears by saying "I know you are seeking Jesus".
The same Jesus who was crucified because there is only one Jesus Christ.
It is this one event that brought recognition to Christianity even though it is still being denied.
These women saw a real angel and maybe two according to the Book of Luke.
Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
It is possible that there were even more angels about the tomb only showing their selves to converse with those who came.
These angels appeared as men and nowhere in the Bible do, we see women mentioned as angels.
Angels are the messengers of God!
These women had no reason to fear because they came because they loved the Lord!
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself to be crucified for all mankind, but it is important that we believe this!
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Knowing these women still had doubts these angels said come and see.
Much of the world had an opportunity to see the truth of the Lord, but the Lord Jesus said we need to have "faith".
They also told these two Marys to tell His disciples that the Lord Jesus had risen from His death and was going to Galilee just as Jesus had told them.
As they hurried to tell the disciples they met the Lord Jesus Christ who called out to them.
We can read about this thing in the four Gospels, and we can believe them all as the truth.
We should note that the Lord Jesus used the phrase "my brethren" even at this time.
The one thing we know for sure about these things is that this tomb is still empty, it was only needed for three days.
When those guards awoken, they feared for their lives so much so they reported to the Chief Priests rather than their own commanders, for they would have been put to death!
They may have even taken the money they were given and left Israel.
*****Mat 28:11 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.
Mat 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Mat 28:13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
Mat 28:14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
Mat 28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
1) We should understand that there is no excuse for trained soldiers to fall asleep on guard duty.
There were enough of them that they could sleep in shifts.
This thing would be under the penalty of death for a Roman soldier to do such a thing.
2) The followers of Jesus Christ had no motive to steal the body of Jesus Christ.
The things that He had said He would do could only occur if He was in that tomb.
The disciples never made such a plan to kidnap the body of Christ.
What could they have possibly done with the body of Christ if they did possess it?
3) We should understand that the theft of the body of Christ would have been a Capital Crime punishable by death because the tomb had been sealed with the seal of Pilate and that of Rome.
None of the disciples were ever brought to trial nor arrested.
4) These soldiers realizing these things went to the only place that might save them from death.
They realized they may have seen an act of God.
They were very familiar with the false gods of Rome who were said to have such powers.
5) They were certain that no one would believe what had happened to be the truth.
So we see the Chief Priests and the Elders of Israel sough to discredit these things the soldiers reported.
It seems that money still works to buy a new story or to create lies.
What we need to understand is that the truth will always prevail.
Pro 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Treachery had been used to arrest the Lord Jesus Christ.
An illegal court had tried Him.
False charges had been brought against Him before Pilate.
Now bribery was being used to discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As believers we know that the truth will always prevail.
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
We know many things the disciples did from the other three Gospels, but we now read where the disciples went to Galilee just as the Lord Jesus instructed.
*****Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Mat 28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
We see that Matthew closes out what the Holy Spirit gave to him with the command to all Christians.
To Matthew the Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of David as prophesied and the soon coming King of Israel and King of all the world.
Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Mat 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Now Matthew writes that the Lord Jesus is risen just as He had said.
Now in the power of the resurrection, we are all to go forth proclaiming the Lord Jesus and His eternal kingdom.
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee to meet their Savior as He had instructed but some still had doubts that Jesus would be there.
We can trust what the Lord tells us because He would never lie to us!
We have appointed places where we are to meet the Lord and we should never doubt that He will be there!
1) We will meet Jesus in our worship if it is in Spirit and Truth.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Our worship is not where we go, our worship is where Jesus is at, and He is only in places that preach the truth!
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
2) We will meet Jesus in our Bible study.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
3) We will meet Jesus in our prayers.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
4) We will meet Jesus in our devotions.
There is a good chance that not just the eleven disciples met the Lord Jesus at Galilee.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
We should be able to say that more than 500 people, some believing and some in doubt until they saw Him, if we need more proof of the Resurrection Messiah.
The Lord Jesus is real, and He is our Savior and He will return as the King of this world!
If you want to remove your doubts just go and visit the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find Him.
Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Though many still doubt, believers know that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power of God because He is God!
*****Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
The Lord Jesus has the power of God for one main reason, to save those who are lost.
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ, you should know that you will still bow to Him.
His authority is over all the known universe and all the invisible creation.
He is the Lord of the angelic host.
Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
The Lord Jesus Christ will rule this world for 1000 years!
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The most important thing to the believer is His power to forgive sins.
Joh 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Joh 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
There is no one or nothing that has more power than the One True God!
The power of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us confidence that our sin has been forgiven and we have that personal relationship with our Creator.
He asks only one thing of us.
*****Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 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.
Some mistake this as a commandment only to Pastors and Preachers and other such men but this commission is for every believer!
There is no more important Scripture in all the New Testament!
As believers we are to replicate ourselves.
We are to go each of us to make disciples who will then go forth themselves in a continuous fashion.
The Church is set forth as a place to worship the Messiah.
The next phase of the Church is to make disciples.
Any other business of the Church comes after these two things have their priorities in place.
Feeding, clothing, and helping others beyond the teaching of the "Gospel" should never be undertaken until these commandments of the Lord are working as commanded!
The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save and He gave His life to accomplish these things.
What did He teach us?
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Teach the "Gospel" no matter where we are located understanding that wherever God has placed us is our mission field.
Baptizing is just making a public confession of our faith, but our Lord Jesus was baptized, and we should follow in His ways.
We must know that God is a Holy Trinity that cannot be denied.
The Lord Jesus says, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is Jehovah God the Great "I Am" of the Bible.
After our salvation we are to follow as best we can in all the things of Jesus Christ.
To ignore these things is to reject the truth of the Messiah!
What the Lord Jesus Christ did must be studied and studied to the point of learning so we can teach others.
The things that the Lord Jesus Christ taught should rule in our life and our societies today.
Our world has reached this point of wickedness because the Lord Jesus Christ has been rejected!
We must understand we are never alone; the Lord Jesus is with us forever, even here on this earth and forever with us when he takes us home to a place prepared for us!
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment