Matthew 28

The Explanation

It is very early in the morning, still half dark. Two women named Mary walk to the grave where Jesus was buried. They are sad. Their friend, their teacher, died on a cross two days ago. They just want to be near the place where He lies.

Then the ground begins to shake. An angel comes down from heaven and rolls away the huge stone in front of the tomb. He sits on it, as if that heavy stone is just a chair. His face shines like lightning, his clothes are white as snow. The soldiers who were guarding the grave collapse from fear. They lie on the ground like dead men.

But the angel speaks kindly to the women. "Don't be afraid," he says. "I know you are looking for Jesus. He is not here. He has risen, just like He said." The women look inside. The grave is empty.

They run away, scared and happy at the same time. And then, on the road, Jesus Himself stands there. Alive. He greets them. They fall down and hold His feet. Jesus says, "Don't be afraid. Tell my brothers to go to Galilee."

Meanwhile something ugly happens in the city. The guards report what they saw. The chief priests give them a lot of money to lie. "Say the disciples stole the body while you slept." So a false story starts going around.

But the eleven disciples go to Galilee, to a mountain. There Jesus meets them. Some worship Him. Some still doubt, even now. And Jesus does not send the doubters away. He comes close and says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is alive. That is the heart of it. Death could not hold Him. The stone is rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so we can look in and see: the grave is empty.

Notice something odd. The two Marys are the first to see the risen Jesus. In that time, women were often not even allowed to be witnesses in court. But God chooses them first. That says something about how God works. He does not do things the way the world expects.

And then there is that strange little sentence: "some doubted." Even when they see Jesus with their own eyes, some are unsure. Matthew does not hide this. He writes it down honestly. And Jesus still gives them His great mission. Doubt does not disqualify you.

The Common Thread

The whole Bible has been moving toward this moment. God promised, long ago, that He would fix what went wrong between people and Him. Sin brought death. But now Jesus walks out of the grave, and death itself is beaten.

At the end of the chapter Jesus says, "I am with you always." That reminds us of a name given at the very beginning of Matthew's book: Immanuel, which means "God with us." The book opens with God coming near, and it closes with God staying near. Forever.

For You

Sometimes you have questions about God that no one can fully answer. Maybe you wonder if it is really true. Maybe you feel like your faith is small on some days. Look at those disciples on the mountain. Some worshiped, some doubted, and Jesus spoke to all of them together. He did not wait until they had it all figured out.

Jesus says, "I am with you always." Not just when you are brave or when you understand everything. Also on the days you feel unsure, or scared, or sad. Also when you are alone in your room at night. He is there.

And He gives you a job too. Tell others. Not by being pushy, but by living like someone who knows the grave is empty.

Talk About It

Why do you think Matthew wrote down that some disciples doubted, even when they saw Jesus? What does that tell you about Jesus?

Jesus says, "I am with you always." When would you most want to remember that this week?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, You are alive. Thank You that the grave could not hold You. Thank You that You are close, even when we doubt or feel afraid. Help us to trust You, and to tell others about You. Amen.