Matthew 28: Resurrection Re-Direction

Key Verse
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…
 
Meditation
Jesus deploys His disciples for His mission. Jesus does not need disciples to accomplish His mission, but He is pleased to use disciples to extend His authority over all nations through commissioning His followers to make more disciples.
 
The authority of Jesus extends over all things, even death. (1 Corinthians 15:26) Jesus is king over everything. The resurrection coronated Jesus (Romans 1:4) and Christ’s commission re-directs the flow of our King’s redemptive mission. All who “come and see” are sent to “go!”
 
In today’s reading, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to “see” Jesus’ tomb. (1) Angels shared the good news of Christ’s resurrection (2-8) before Jesus met them personally, commanding them to “go” tell the disciples that death is defeated. (9-10)
 
After a conspiracy and attempted coverup, (11-15) resurrected Jesus re-directed the flow of God’s redemptive mission.  Nations had come to worship Jesus at his birth (Matthew 2). After His resurrection, Jesus sends His disciples to GO to extend His authority to all nations. (16-20) Jesus promised His presence and His authority will be with His commissioned disciples. Jesus does not give a great suggestion- Jesus gives a great commission to all who follow Him.
 
God is pleased to use the Church for His mission in our neighborhoods and among the nations, commanding Christians to be His witnesses from our spheres of influence (Jerusalem), in our communities (Judea), cross-culturally (Samaria), and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). All who come to Jesus for salvation are commissioned for Jesus’ global mission.
 
Today’s Reading
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The Report of the Guard
11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to from today’s reading, especially the re-direction coming from Jesus after the resurrection?
 
-Are you making disciples as Jesus commissioned His disciples to do? If you want resources to empower you to make disciples, please contact us.
 
-Jesus promised His presence and power to be with His disciples as we participate in His redemptive mission. What difference does this make as you consider how to respond to Jesus great suggestion commission?
 
Key Verse
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…