The Tomb… vs. 1-10

• 1^st – First Day… vs. 1
  • Sabbaths… vs. 1
    • Now after the Sabbath!
    • The word SABBATH here is PLURAL [σαββάτων]
    • After the TWO sabbaths – both the FRIDAY special sabbath – and SATURDAY regular sabbath…
    • Going back to our TIMELINE – this further clarifies WHEN Jesus was crucified…
    • He died on a THURSDAY [Passover] – and was resurrected on the SUNDAY…
    • Meaning He was in the TOMB for THREE days and THREE nights!
    • Matthew 12:40 – “The Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth!”
  • Frist Fruit… vs. 1
    • As the first day of the week began to dawn!
    • The FIRST day of the week for the Jews is a SUNDAY [day after the sabbath]
    • But the FIRST Sunday after the PASSOVER was a special day…
    • It was called the feast of FIRST fruits – Leviticus 23:10-11
    • Just as Jesus fulfilled the PASSOVER – by being the Lamb of God…
    • And He fulfilled the Feast of UNLEAVENED bread – by taking away our SIN…
    • He also fulfilled the Feast of FIRST fruits – by being the FIRST to rise from the DEAD!
    • I Corinthians 15:20 – “Now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
    • In the New Testament – death for a believer is described as falling ASLEEP…
    • Not that we SLEEP – the moment we DIE we are with Jesus – II Corinthians 7:8
    • But it is meant to emphasize the fact that death is NOT the end…
    • And we KNOW that because of Jesus – He was the FIRST to RISE!
  • 2^nd – He is Risen… vs. 1-7
    • The women… vs. 1
      • Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb!
      • There were a total FOUR women who came EARLY in the morning to the TOMB…
      • Mary Magdalene [Jesus cast SEVEN demons out of her] – Luke 8:2
      • Mary the mother of Joses [James son of Alpheus] – Mark 15:47
      • Salome – the mother of James and John – Mark 16:1
      • And Joanna – a servant of Herod Antipas – Luke 24:10
      • These women came to bring spices to complete Jesus burial – Luke 24:1
      • They did NOT expect Him to be RISEN – even talking about HOW to get into the TOMB!
      • Mark 16:3 – “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
    • The Angel… vs. 2-4
      • Behold there was a great earthquake – for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven.
      • And came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it.
      • His countenance was like lightning – and his clothing as white as snow.
      • The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men!
      • BEFORE the women arrived at the TOMB – presumably at DAWN…
      • There had been a great [μέγας] EARTHQUAKE [σεισμός]
      • This was NOT what opened up the TOMB – this was PARADISE being emptied…
      • All the SAINTS who had died in FAITH – were heading to HEAVEN – Matthew 27:52
      • After which an Angel from the Lord [ἄγγελος γὰρ κυρίου] came down from heaven [οὐρανός]
      • His appearance was [imperfect] as bright as LIGHTENING – his clothes as WHITE as snow…
      • The GUARDS and SEAL that were meant to keep Jesus in the TOMB had little effect…
      • The soldiers were TERRIFIED [φόβος] – and stopped breathing [νεκρός]
      • Then the angel rolled back the STONE – and SAT [imperfect] on it waiting for the women!
      • Luke tells us there were TWO angels at the TOMB – Luke 24:5
      • This is NOT a contradiction – Matthew just mentions the ONE angel who spoke!
      • Jesus did NOT need the angel to roll away to STONE to get OUT…
      • The GRAVE could NOT hold Him – and there was NO stone that could stop Him…
      • Later that night he would WALK through walls in His glorified body – John 20:19
      • The angel removed the STONE so that the women could look IN!
    • Do not fear… vs. 5-6
      • The angel answered and said to the women: Do not be afraid.
      • I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
      • He is not here for He is risen as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay!
      • The angel said to the WOMEN [not the soldiers] – do NOT [imperative] fear [φοβέω]
      • He KNEW [εἴδω] they had come [present] looking for a CRUCIFIED Lord…
      • But He is [present] NOT there – because He is RISEN [passive] – just as He said – Mark 8:31
      • COME and SEE [imperative] – the place where the Lord [κύριος] was [imperfect]!
      • If there is ONE thing in this life we all SHOULD see…
      • It is a simple EMPTY tomb – carved out of rock – on the north side of Jerusalem…
      • As you walk in the door there is a SIGN – He is NOT here for He is RISEN!
      • The number one FEAR [φοβέω] of all men – is DEATH…
      • We FEAR it because it is an UNKNOWN – we FEAR it because of the JUDGMENT…
      • But the PROOF that there is LIFE after DEATH is found in Jesus…
      • We serve a RISEN Lord – who showed us He has the power over the GRAVE!
      • I Corinthians 15:55-57 – “O death where is your victory? How we thank God who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – Good News… vs. 7-8
    • Quickly… vs. 7
      • Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.
      • Indeed He is going before you into Galilee – there you will see Him. Behold I have told you!
      • With URGENCY [ταχύ] the women had [imperative] to go and tell the DISCIPLES…
      • Mark adds that they should especially tell PETER – Mark 16:7
      • Jesus was RESURRECTED [passive] – and He was going [present] to the GALILEE…
      • He would [future] meet with them there – just as He had [indicative] SAID!
      • Matthew 26:32 – “After I have been raised I will go before you to Galilee.”
    • Great joy… vs. 8
      • They went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy – ran to bring His disciples word!
      • They RAN out of the TOMB – shook up [φοβέω] – but also filled with GREAT [μέγας] Joy…
      • They had the MESSAGE [ἀπαγγέλλω] the DISCIPLES needed to hear!
      • The women were the FRIST to see the empty tomb – the FIRST to believe…
      • Because it is often the women who are the FRIST to respond the Gospel …
      • It is a common statistic [the whole world over] more women than men attend church…
      • But that is where the Gospel STARTS – not where it ENDS…
      • Many of you ladies have HUSBANDS – FATHERS – SONS – who do NOT believe…
      • Go tell them – go out QUICKLY and give them the Good News!
  • 4^th – Meeting Jesus… vs. 9-10
    • Obeying… vs. 9
      • As they went to tell His disciples – behold Jesus met them saying: Rejoice!
      • BUT [δέ] – as they were [imperfect] on the way to tell [ἀπαγγέλλω] the DISCIPLES…
      • Jesus MET them and said – [imperative] REJOICE [χαίρω]!
      • John tells us that it was Mary Magdalene who FIRST saw Jesus – John 20:14
      • She did NOT recognize Him [glorified body] – and thought He was the gardener…
      • But the moment He spoke her name – MARY – she recognized Him!
      • John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice and I know them – and they follow Me.”
      • A lot of people want to SEE Jesus – but they are NOT willing to OBEY…
      • If we are NOT doing what God tells us to do [share the Good News]
      • It should NOT come as a surprise that we are NOT going to see God working…
      • But as we step out in FAITH – we will SEE the Lord – and HEAR His voice…
      • And the result will be that we are filled with JOY!
    • Worshiping… vs. 9
      • So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him!
      • The women CLUNG [κρατέω] to Jesus – holding onto His feet – and WORSHIPED Him…
      • WORSHIP [προσκυνέω] – 60x in NT – toward [πρός] and dog [κύων]!
      • Anyone who has a DOG can appreciate the picture…
      • When you come home – your DOG is ecstatic to see you – RUNS to greet you!
      • When we think of WORSHIP – we tend to think of SINGING…
      • But SINGING is described as how we minister to each other – Colossians 3:16
      • WORSHIP is NOT about songs – it is about being EXCITED to see our Lord…
      • It means wanting to be with Him – always around Him – continually loyal to Him!
    • Going to Galilee… vs. 10
      • Then Jesus said to them: Do not be afraid. 
      • Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see Me!
      • Jesus also commanded [imperative] the women to NOT be AFRAID [φοβέω]
      • They were to GO [imperative] and tell [ἀπαγγέλλω] the DISCIPLES…
      • If they [subjuntive] went to the GALILEE – Jesus would be [indicative] waiting for them!
      • The DISCIPLES did NOT believe the women about Jesus – Mark 16:11
      • They did NOT believe the TWO disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus – Mark 16:13
      • Even when Jesus appeared to them that NIGHT in the upper room – John 20:19
      • Though they finally believed He was risen [expect Thomas who was not there]
      • They still DOUBTED that God had a plan for their lives [failed disciples]
      • Instead they went back to the Galilee – back to FISHING – to their OLD lives!
      • John 21:3 – “Peter said to them: I am going fishing.”
      • Jesus KNEW they were going to do this – and would be there WAITING for them…
      • Because Jesus does NOT expect us to be perfect – He knows we are NOT…
      • He knows we tend to FAIL – and CONDEMN ourselves…
      • But He meets us right where we are – no matter what we have done…
      • And wants to bring us back into that close relationship with Him!
      • I John 3:20 – “If our heart condemns us – God is greater than our heart and knows all things!”

• 2^nd – The Lie… vs. 11-15
  • 1^st – The bribe… vs. 11-14
    • Stolen body… vs. 11-13
      • Now while they were going behold some of the guard came into the city.
      • And reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
      • When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together.
      • They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers saying:
      • Tell them – His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept!
      • While the WOMEN were on their way to TELL [ἀπαγγέλλω] the DISCIPLES…
      • Some of the SOLDIERS went into the city to TELL [ἀπαγγέλλω] the PRIESTS…
      • They shared EVERYTHING [πᾶς] that had happened – the earthquake – angel – EMPTY tomb…
      • The PRIESTS and ELDERS [Sanhedrin] discussed what to DO about the report…
      • They decided to BRIBE the guards with a LOT of MONEY…
      • Commanding [imperative] them to say – DISCIPLES stole [κλέπτω] the body while they SLEPT!
    • The promise… vs. 14
      • If this comes to the governors ears we will appease him and make you secure!
      • The soldiers were HESITANT to make the DEAL…
      • If [subjuntive] word of this got back to PILATE – they would be PUNISHED [death]
      • The PRIESTS told them NOT to worry [μέριμνα] – they would PAY [πείθω] off PILATE as well!
      • This was a foolish story that NO one with any common sense would believe…
      • If a Roman soldier fell ASLEEP on the job – it would have cost him his life…
      • And there was NO way ELEVEN fishermen could have overcome Roman soldiers…
      • Yet even with the PROOF of the resurrection – the leaders would NOT believe!
      • There will always be those who NO matter what – just will NOT believe in Jesus…
      • Sadly that is a CHOICE that people can make – God will NOT force anyone to go to heaven…
      • But those who go out of their way – bribe others – lie to others…
      • To keep them from believing in Jesus – will receive greater JUDGEMENT!
      • Matthew 23:13 – “Woe to you… hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom… for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
  • 2^nd – Excuses… vs. 15
    • They took the money and did as they were instructed.
    • And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day!
    • So [δέ] the SOLDIERS took the money – and did as they were TAUGHT [διδάσκω]
    • And [καί] that is what is many JEWS [Ἰουδαῖος] still say happened to this DAY…
    • Yet ALL of the DISCIPLES [expect John] were martyred for their FAITH…
    • If the RESURRECTION was a LIE – it is improbable they would have DIED to protect it!
    • I had a coworker who told me he did NOT believe the God…
    • His argument was that EVOLUTION was a FACT – and that DISPROVED God…
    • I took the challenge and did some research – gave him the FACTS that DISPROVED evolution…
    • I will NEVER forget his response – he still believed in EVOLUTION – because he WANTED to!
    • People have a LOT of reasons why they REJECT the Gospel…
    • But NONE of their EXCUSES have any merit – they hold onto LIES because they WANT to…
    • The ONLY reason people reject the Gospel – is because they WANT their SIN and NOT God!

• 3^rd – The Commission… vs. 16-20
  • 1^st – The called… vs. 16-18
    • The mountain… vs. 16
      • Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee.
      • To the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them!
      • Matthew does NOT record the TWO appearances of Jesus in Jerusalem – John 20:19-29
      • Instead focusing on the ELEVEN disciples [no Judas] – meeting Jesus in the Galilee…
      • They went to the MOUNTAIN [τὸ ὄρος] where Jesus told them to meet Him…
      • We do NOT know where this was – perhaps the Mount [τὸ ὄρος] of Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1
    • Doubting… vs. 17
      • When they saw Him they worshiped Him – but some doubted!
      • When the ELEVEN saw Jesus – they WORSHIPED [προσκυνέω]
      • But [δέ] there was also DOUBT [διστάζω] – from the root word TWO [δύο]
      • Even seeing Jesus the THIRD time – they still were NOT sure…
      • Not that Jesus was ALIVE – but that God could USE them!
• James 1:8 – “A double minded man – unstable in all his ways!”

• There is a BATTLE inside of all of us – a WAR within our HEARTS…
• We desire to WORSHIP [προσκυνέω] the Lord – we want to live our lives for Him…
• But at the same time we are also have DOUBTS [δύο] we can be used [who are we]
• The GOOD news is that Jesus is ready to MEET us – He is WAITING for us…
• And if we are just willing to step out and BELIEVE – He will use us!
• All authority… vs. 18
  • Jesus came and spoke to them: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth!
  • Jesus gives [present] this encouragement to DOUBTING disciples…
  • All [πᾶς] POWER [ἐξουσία] has been [aorist] given to Him…
  • All the POWER that is IN [ἐν] heaven – giving Him POWER over everything ON [ἐπί] earth…
  • Meaning He is NOT limited by what we can DO – even our FAILURES…
  • Instead we are have NO limitations because we have His POWER!
  • God is NOT looking for the RICH – the WISE – or the POWERFUL – I Corinthians 1:26
  • God is looking for the HUMBLE – for someone who will WORSHIP [προσκυνέω] Him!
  • Being used by God is all about our PERSPECTIVE…
  • If we looking at what we have to offer to God – we will DOUBT…
  • But if we are looking at what God can do through us – NOTHING is impossible!
  • Matthew 19:26 – “With God all things are possible!”
• 2^nd – The command… vs. 19-20
  • Make Disciples… vs. 19
    • Therefore… make disciples of all the nations!
    • Therefore [οὖν] – since we have access to the one who has ALL power…
    • We are given the GREAT commission – made up of FOUR verbs…
    • But there is ONLY one command [imperative] – make DISCIPLES of [πᾶς] nations [ἔθνος]!
    • Because the heart of our God is that EVERYONE goes to HEAVEN – II Peter 3:9
    • Jesus died on the CROSS so that ANYONE could be saved – John 3:16
    • And all SOMEONE had to get to heaven is to BELIEVE – Romans 10:13
    • But how can they BELIEVE – if we do NOT tell them…
    • And how can we TELL them – if we do NOT go out and SHARE!
    • Romans 10:15 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
  • How to do it… vs. 19-20
    • Go… baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
    • Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you!
    • The other THREE verbs in the GREAT commission tell us HOW to make DISCIPLES… 
    • FIRST – we are [aorist] SENT [passive] to tell people about Jesus…
    • SECOND – we BAPTIZE [present] them – as a public confession of their faith in Jesus…
    • We baptize them into the [singular] NAME [εἰς τὸ ὄνομα] of our God…
    • THE Father [τοῦ πατρὸς] – THE Son [τοῦ υἱοῦ] – and THE Holy Spirit [τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος]
    • THIRD – we TEACH [present] them EVERYTHING [πᾶς] – so they GROW in Jesus…
    • This makes them DISCIPLES of the Lord – fulfilling the COMMAND!
    • The biggest problem in the world today – people do NOT know the WORD of God…
    • They do NOT know the dangers of hell – or the REWARD of heaven…
    • About the coming JUDGEMENT of God – or His amazing LOVE and salvation…
    • They do NOT know Jesus – because they do NOT know His WORD…
    • And so we go to teach them – so they can become the CHILDREN of God!
  • Not alone… vs. 20
    • Lo I am with you always – even to the end of the age. Amen!
    • LOOK [imperative] – Jesus is [present] ALWAYS with us…
    • TODAY [τὰς ἡμέρας] – and until the END of the AGE [τοῦ αἰῶνος]
    • Meaning we are NOT alone – and we will NEVER be alone…
    • God does NOT just send us – He goes with us as we share the GOOD news…
    • Which brings us to the end of the book of Matthew – which ends with – AMEN [ἀμήν]!