Explore the Bible Lesson Preview March 31, 2013 Believe in the Risen Lord Background: Matthew 28:1-20 Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 Motivation: Most theories that attempt to dispute the resurrection of Jesus Christ begin with the premise that He never really died. A medical doctor described the combined effects of scourging, the nails through His wrists and feet, and His inability to draw a sufficient breath without lifting Himself up by pushing on the nails: Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-renting cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level. The compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues. The tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues. Finally, he allows his body to die. All this the Bible records with the simple words, and they crucified Him. (Mark 15:24 cf. Matthew 27; Isa. 53; Ps. 22) Examination: I. Struck With Awe (1-4) A. Time After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning (1) 1 / 9
B. Testimony Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went in to view the tomb (1b) HC SB, p. 1671: 28:1 These events occurred early Sunday morning. For the identity of the other Mary (probably the mother of two of Jesus lesser known disciples, James and Joseph in 27:56). Since the ancients did not view women at trustworthy, a writer who made up an account designed to convince readers of Jesus resurrection would not have made women the first witnesses of the resurrection. That Matthew included the women confirms that he was faithful to record actual events, even if they would be seen as discreditable by society. C. Triumph Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightening and his robe was as white as snow. ( 2-3) Perhaps no other mental image shows the triumph of life over death, freedom over slavery and victory over defeat as He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. D. Terror The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. (4) Later the priests instructed the guards to lie and say they were sleeping. (13) Obviously, the guards were very much awake. II. Come and See (5-7) A. Christ s Resurrection Casts Out Fear Don t be afraid... (5) In I John 4:18 we read... perfect love casts out fear. Howev er, Christ s resurrection power must be appropriated: So departing quickly from the tomb with fear... (8) (John 11:25-26) B. Christ s Resurrection Commands Us To Proclaim...go quickly and tell... (7) The command to the women is the same command we obey Go therefore and make disciples... (Matt. 28) cf. Acts 1:8. 2 / 9
C. Christ Resurrection Comforts Us With His Presence...He is going ahead of you into Galilee; you will see Him there... (7) Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 18:24,... But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus goes before us and is there for us (Heb. 6:19-20; 12:1-2; John 15:15) III. Go and Tell (8-10) A. Christ s Resurrection Creates Personal Joy...and great joy (8) These things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves (John 17:13, cf. John 15:11)...you will make me full of joy in the presence (Acts 2:28 quoting Psalm 16:11) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them... And there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:5, 8) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52)...and they caused great joy to all the brethren (Acts 15:3) B. Encounter With The Resurrected Christ (28:9-10) Many of Jesus closest followers failed to recognize Jesus immediately (Luke 24:16; John 21:4) 1. Mary recognized His voice. (9-10) 3 / 9
2. Thomas recognized His scars. (John 20:28; Luke 24:44-50) 3. The Disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Him when He broke bread. (Luke 24:30-31) 4. Peter recognized Him when He performed a miracle. (John 21:6-7) Question: How well do you know Jesus? What would you recognize first? IV. Beware of False Reports (11-15) William Barclay (Matthew, vol. 2, p. 377): It is interesting to note the means that the Jewish authorities used in their desperate attempts to eliminate Jesus. They used treachery to lay hold on Him. They used illegality to try Him. They used slander to charge Him to Pilate. And now they were using bribery to silence the truth about Him. (John 11:47-53) And they failed. Magna est veritas et praevalebit, ran the Roman proverb; great is the truth and it will prevail. It is a fact of history that not all men s evil machinations can in the end stop the truth. The gospel of goodness is greater than the plots of wickedness. The stolen body theory was commonly repeated among the Jews until this day (15) and deserves a response: A. Practical Problems with Stealing the Body 1. The guard was an elite Roman detachment of probably 16 soldiers according to Josh 4 / 9
McDowell ( The Resurrection Factor, pp. 56-57): Normally what they did was this: four men were placed immediately in front of what they were to protect. The other 12 were asleep in a semi-circle in front of them with their heads pointing in. To steal what these guards were protecting, thieves would first have to walk over those who were asleep. Every four hours, another unit of four was awakened, and those who had been awake went to sleep. They would rotate this way around the clock. Of course, the penalty for those standing guard going to sleep would be death to all 16. 2. Pilate s Response in the present imperative (lit. Have a guard 65) implies the granting of a request. A Roman Seal was placed only in the presence of Roman guards. 3. The Stone was aligned in an inclined trench; one ancient source records 20 men could not roll it away ( The Resurrection Factor, p. 53) B. Historical Problems of a Stolen Body 1. Christ predicted His own resurrection (Matt. 16:21-27; Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34; Luke 9:22; John 2:18-22, 10:17, 20:9) 2. The use of women as the key witnesses (their testimony was not allowed in court) 3. His disciples were changed from fearful to bold. All but one died a martyr s death. 5 / 9
4. Success of the early church, especially in Jerusalem. 5. Shift from Saturday to Sunday worship. 6. The ordinances of Baptism and the Lord s Supper. 7. The complete disregard for the tomb of Jesus by the first century church. 8. The conversion of his opponents after the resurrection especially James and Paul. IV. Make Disciples (16-20) A. The Great Commission (16-20) The Gospel of John records that the disciples remained in Judea for at least a week (John 20:19, 26; 21:1). The Book of Acts reveals that Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of forty days before His ascension (Acts 1:3-9). Matthew chose to highlight a single appearance in Galilee and a climactic word of instruction for the church. 1. The Power (16-18) Jesus reception was based on their knowledge of Him. Some (probably led by Peter) worshipped Him. Others doubted. (A verb that signified uncertainty or hesitancy they didn t exactly know what to do). Jesus allayed their doubts with a reminder that all authority was given to Him. The greatest cure for our doubts is to be reminded of the power of Jesus! Hymn: All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name 6 / 9
a. The power is Infinite all authority b. The power is inclusive heaven and on earth c. he power is instructive therefore 2. The Purpose a. The purpose is personal: you b. The purpose is practical: Go c. The purpose is progressive all nations (Acts 1:8; I Tim. 2:3-6) 3. The Promise (for every Go there s a lo ) a. The promise is authoritative I Am b. The promise is innovative with you (Heb. 13:5-6) c. The promise is demonstrative to the end of the age (Isa 45:17; Eph. 3:21) 7 / 9
Application: 1. Christ s Resurrection provides comfort and joy. (John 5:25, 6:47; II Cor. 1:3-5) 2. Christ s Resurrection is confirmed by historical facts. (Acts 1:3) 3. Christ s Resurrection commissions us to proclaim the good news. (I Tim. 2:3-6) Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 10: Poster: The Evidence Is In ; Item 11: Poster: Great Commission Biblical Illustrator: p. 10; Roman Governors in the First Century **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.org Dates: 3/22 Summit Celebrates in Chapel; 3/23 SPF Hippity-Hoppin Easter party; 3/24 M 1:8 Announcement Day; 3/29 Good Friday Church offices closed; 3/31 Easter Sunday (8-9:30-11 & 5:30)- no LBS; 3/31 Full Launch of Cypress and Sienna campuses; 4/5 Warrior Day; 4/11 FBA Spring Musical; 4/12 6 th grade Wax Museum; 4/12 8 / 9
Recreate: Date Night; 4/16 Imago tear down; 4/19-20 Apologetics Conference; 4/21 - LBS Leadership Lunch; 4/21 AMP Wired; 4/26-28 Summit Spring Retreat; 4/29 FBA Spring Fine Arts. 9 / 9