The Authority of the Resurrected King Matthew 27:56-28:20 Pastor Dan Brooks Sunday morning, April 20, 2014 Introduction: It s been in the news again this week, the protest of an atheist group. A sign posted in the Wisconsin capital reading, Nobody died for our sins, Jesus Christ is a myth. 1 Co 15:17 19 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. All that we believe as followers of Christ depends upon the resurrection. At the close of Matthew s gospel we read these very important words: 18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Through His earthly ministry Jesus Christ has shown time and time again that He is King. He is King over creation, King over the spiritual powers and forces of darkness, King over disease, King over sin and now through His resurrection He is King over death. That s the kind of authority vested in this statement. And that s the kind of authority these disciples will need to carry out such a daunting mission. But let s go back just a few days to see how the King works His purpose, not only despite the opposition, but actually through the opposition. Let s see how the King exercises His authority to accomplish His mission. I. THE KING SUBMITS TO DEATH AS A RESURRECTION PREREQUISITE 1. A. His death is verified by a Jewish burial (27:57-60). 1. Joseph of Arimathea buries Him. a. A man of respected authority: Mk 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council 1.) The sacred status of Jerusalem... was recognized by the Romans and, so long as public order was maintained and tax revenues were forthcoming, they were content for national matters to be under the control of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. It is during the period of the Roman procurators (A.D. 6-66) that the Sanhedrin came to possess the greatest power and jurisdiction of its history. 2 2.) The Sanhedrin is a body composed largely of members of the aristocracy,... which under the high priest, exercises considerable judicial authority. 3 b. So here, with limited time before the start of the Sabbath, he takes it upon himself to secure the linen grave clothes, to request official permission to take the body to the newly hewn grave, to quickly wrap the body and then roll a stone over the entrance. c. This was a public break with his colleagues and very public identification with Jesus and His followers. d. Q: Why risk your position of influence and authority for a fraudulent teacher who hasn t really died? 2. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary witness the burial (61). B. His death is verified by Roman Orders. 1. Pilate orders the body to be given to Joseph (58). a. Ordered it: (ἐκέλευσεν) to issue a command 1 Something necessary for the carrying out of a purpose. 2 The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 5, 270. 3 ZPEB, 270.
P a g e 2 b. If Jesus were not truly dead, a Roman governor such as Pilate would not fool with such a request. 2. Point: This is significant historically. a. No one, disciple, Jewish authority or Roman ruler, is arguing about the reality of Christ s death. b. All testify by their concerns and actions that Jesus really is dead! 3. That s important to the reality of the resurrection. II. THE KING USES EARTHLY OPPOSITION FOR RESURRECTION PROTECTION. A. Jewish rulers protect against resurrection fraud (62-64). 1. They express concern for fraud. a. that impostor: (πλάνος) a deceiver b. the last fraud: (πλάνη) an active deception c. 1 st fraud: After three days I will rise. d. 2 nd fraud: the disciples would go and steal him away and tell the people, He has risen from the dead. 2. The chief priests and Pharisees request the tomb be secured by Roman guards. 3. Using Roman guards rather than their own would leave the Jewish authorities less open to the charge of tampering with evidence. 4 B. Roman forces guard against resurrection fraud (65-66). 1. Pilate s order is make it as secure as you can. 2. made... secure: (ἠσφαλίσαντο) from their perspective no one can get in or out! 3. sealing the stone: (σφραγίσαντες) could mean fastened in such a way that it cannot be moved 4. Probably by a cord stretched across the stone and sealed at each end as in Dan. 6:17. The sealing was done in the presence of the Roman guard who were left in charge to protect this stamp of Roman authority and power. 5 5. So this is not only a matter of Jewish concern, but now it has become a matter of protecting Roman authority and sovereignty. 6. Their presence guarantees that neither the disciples nor anyone else will be able to steal the body of Jesus. 7. The posting of the Roman guard verifies there is no active deception on the part of Christ or His disciples. 8. 2 points of irony in this account a. The priests and Pharisees seem to put more weight in Christ s claim that He would rise after three days than do His disciples. At this moment they are hiding. b. The very lie they are seeking to protect against is the lie they will resort to as the explanation for the empty tomb (see 28:13). C. The King rests in the protection of God (27:59-61). 1. Psalm 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 2. The spices were bound into those grave clothes to minimize the stench of the decaying process. 3. Point: This is significant theologically as we move toward Christ s Great Commission. The King is demonstrating visibly His authority over death, His authority over all earthly powers, His authority to fulfill all of His purposes. III. THE KING FULFILLS HIS RESURRECTION PURPOSE. A. The King rises by the power of God (28:1-8). 4 Keener, Craig S., A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Eerdmans, 696. 5 Robertson, A. (Mt 27:66).
P a g e 3 1. God shakes the earth and directs His angel to open the tomb. a. No earthly power can stand in His way. 2. The presence of the angel evokes fear. a. trembled: (φόβου ἐσείσθησαν) they convulsed with fear b. The very ones who had been ordered to protect the authority and interest of Rome tremble and became like dead men in the presence of the King s messenger. c. Roman soldiers positioned in opposition to this King should be afraid. Women who seek the crucified Jesus and desire to follow Him should not. d. Do not be afraid 3. The message of the angel confirms His word! a. He has risen, as he said. (16:21; 17:23; 20:19) b. No Jewish opposition can change what He has determined to do. c. No Roman resistance can resist His purpose. d. He has risen, as he said! 4. The message of the angel affirms their faith. a. Come, see the place where he lay (v. 6). b. This is eyewitness account. B. The King resumes ministry in the authority of God (28:9-10). 1. The King welcomes His followers. a. Greetings! (χαίρετε) a personal salutation meaning Joy to you! b. In response to His salutation, the women worship the risen Christ. c. They show the reverence due Him by taking hold of His feet and bowing before Him. 2. The King calms their fears: Do not be afraid 3. The King reminds them of their relationship. a. Tell my brothers 1.) ἀδελφοῖς: the term denotes a fellowship of life based on identity of origin, e.g., members of the same family 6 2.) The Scriptures teach us that Christ is the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18), the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29). 3.) These are the disciples who only three nights earlier fled from him at His arrest. 4.) The brothers include men like Peter who denied any association with the Savior. 5.) But He does not deny His relationship with them. He refers to them as members of the same family. 6.) Does Jesus think of you and me in the same way? Members of His family? b. go to Galilee, and there they will see me 1.) That s the most comfortable and familiar setting for all of them. 2.) Tell them I ll meet them at home. IV. THE KING EMPLOYS HIS OPPOSITION THROUGH THEIR RESURRECTION CONSPIRACY THEORY (28:11-15). A. The opposition is forced to make fraudulent claims. 1. Payoffs: gave a sufficient sum of money a. They paid Judas to betray Jesus. b. They pay the guards to spread a false report. c. They ll pay Pilate if he hears the report and takes action against the guards because the authority of Rome has been undermined. 2. Perjury: Tell people His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep. 6 Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G80). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
P a g e 4 a. It is not even believable! b. The only disciples present at the tomb following the burial were women! The men had fled for fear. But these are the disciples who, though untrained in military strategy and tactics, launch a midnight mission while a Roman guard trained for war remain fast asleep. These disciples are so strong and stealthy that they are able to break the official seal, move the stone and steal the body of their Teacher without being detected. c. This really is a mission impossible! d. Roman soldiers who fell asleep during night watch were normally beaten; if a soldier survived, he was banished from family and country and deeply shamed. 7 e. It s a fraudulent story. B. The opposition holds to its fraudulent claim. 1. This story has been spread among the Jews to this day. a. Matthew wrote his Gospel approximately 20 years after Christ s resurrection. b. People were still talking about it. c. When Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthians, which is about 55 A.D., he says 1 Co 15:6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. d. Evidence for the resurrection is supplied by the very story that denies it. And because it came from Jesus enemies rather than His friends, it should be all the more convincing to skeptics. Intending to conceal the truth, the Sanhedrin and the soldiers actually reinforced it. 8 2. Point: With the spread of the Gospel there is a corresponding spread of deception, but even such deception will be used by our King to accomplish His purpose. V. THE KING ESTABLISHES HIS DISCIPLES IN MISSION (28:16-20) A. He commissions His disciples by His absolute authority. 1. All authority: (πᾶσα ἐξουσία) the absolute power of right and might a. And why should we doubt His claim? b. This is the King who has exercised authority over the winds of the sky and the waves of the sea. He has cast out demonic forces and thrown down spiritual opposition. He has healed the sick, made the lame to run, and caused the blind to see. He has restored the leprous ones to health and family and public assembly. He has brought the dead to life and made grieving families whole again. c. In this last and greatest demonstration of absolute power He has raised Himself from Joseph s tomb, not merely triumphing over death alone, but over the very sin that has put a thousand generations into the belly of Sheol. 2. No king ever possessed the authority of might and right as King Jesus possesses all authority! 3. And Christ places His absolute power of right and might behind and under and over and around you. 4. Q: We sometimes ask, If you knew that you had unlimited resources, what would you attempt? But knowing that you have Christ s absolute authority as His disciple, what should you attempt for Him? B. He commissions His disciples with a divine purpose. 1. Make disciples: (μαθητεύσατε) 2. Def.: Mathēteúō means not only to learn, but to become attached to one s teacher and to become his follower in doctrine and conduct of life. 9 7 Keener, footnote #333, 714. 8 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (329). Chicago: Moody Press. 9 Zodhiates, (G3100).
P a g e 5 a. Before you can make a disciple you have to be a disciple. b. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? c. Have you confessed your sin to Him and asked Him to forgive you in order that you might receive the gift of eternal life? d. Have you come to that place by faith where you are attached to Him and following Him in doctrine and conduct? 3. People will not become attached to Christ if we fail to preach and teach His Gospel. 4. People will not become attached to Christ if we preach and teach a false Gospel. 5. People will not become attached to Christ if we attach things to the Gospel. 6. His divine purpose is for us to make disciples. C. He commissions His disciples with an unfailing promise. 1. Behold: i.e., pay attention to this! 2. I am with you always a. The One who possesses and wields all authority in the universe promises to remain with us always. b. In Matt 18:20 Jesus promises to remain with even two or three who gather in His name. c. Here He promises to remain with those who go in His name. 3. To the end of the age: lit., all the days, even to the culmination of the age. a. And so the story of the King ends where it began: The King, who has come in flesh, whose name Immanuel means God is with us adds this promises to His name that He will remain with us even to the culmination of the age. b. Some of us cower in the dimness of this age because we know we are prisoners of sin in need of forgiveness and salvation. c. Will you enter the Kingdom of our Lord today by way of repentance and faith? Turn from your sin and call upon Jesus for salvation. d. King Immanuel s promise to remain with us is intended to move us to attempt great things for Him in the work of making disciples. Benediction: Hebrews 13:20-21 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.