JESUS IS RISEN

Jesus Has Risen!
Matthew 28: 1 - 20
The worst fear of the Jewish leaders came true. Every precaution they made in their paranoid minds was fulfilled. The resurrection came as a wonderful surprise to the disciples. It is very evident none of the disciples were sitting around at the tomb waiting expectantly to see Jesus alive and worshipping Him.
Matthew gives us a condensed report of a series of resurrection events and does not deny or contradict the other Gospel writers who give additional evidence. The reappearance of the risen Christ in Galilee is the grand climax to his Gospel.
A FUNERAL of A KING
I. Jesus Died Matt. 27: 50 Matthew said he cried out loud.
50. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
A. John 19: 30 The apostle John tells us the cry was, “It is finished!”
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
He breathed His last. He died.






B. Luke 23: 44 – 49 Luke records Jesus cried unto God.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
There was darkness. The Centurion glorified God. The people gathered saw the things that were done.
II. Jesus Was Buried. Matthew 27: 57 - 61
A Jewish rich man and leader, a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus so He would be given a proper burial. It was the day before the Sabbath when Jesus died. The Sabbath began according to Jewish time about 6:00 PM when the sun went down.



57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.


A. Mark 15: 44 – 45 Pilate certified Jesus was dead.
44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
The body of Jesus was not put into a coffin. They took His body down from the cross, wrapped Him up in a large linen cloth and carried him to the tomb.
The burial of Jewish people during the days of Jesus was not like modern American funerals and embalming. The Jewish people wrapped the bodies in linen clothes and sprinkled aromatic spices between the folds of the cloth.
B. Matthew 27: 59 – 60 Joseph took Jesus body and wrapped it for burial.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
There was no mutilation of the body and no bones were broken. Jesus was the perfect Passover sacrifice.
1. Numbers 9: 12 The Passover lamb was not to be broken.
12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
Not a bone of this Passover lamb had been broken
2. 1 Cor. 5: 7 – 8 Christ is our passover lamb.
7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.




C. John 19: 39 – 40 Nicodemus a Pharisee, ruler of the Jews helped Joseph.
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
They used a hundred pound mixture of strong spices composed of myrrh and aloes, “as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” They bound His body in linen wrappings with the spices, as was the custom of the Jews in the first century A. D. The large linen cloths in which the body of Jesus had been wrapped at the cross to carry it to the tomb would have been torn into smaller cloths or swatches like those of long medical bandages used for wrapping the torso or limbs. By tradition, the body of Jesus was wrapped in swaths of linen cloth covered with the thick layers of the aromatic spices of myrrh and aloes between the folds. The powder and gooey substances were poured next to the body and interspersed between the linen wrappings wound around the body. The term John uses in John 19:40 for “linen clothes” is generally agreed as the term that denotes thin strips or bandages. The body of Jesus was now bound around again and again, layer by layer with myrrh and aloes.




Jesus was not just buried; He was buried with the honor and dignity of a king. It was not the burial of a felon as the Jewish leaders had supposed, but that of a rich man, honored and respected. Joseph and Nicodemus made sure His burial was not a pauper or a criminal. It may have been rushed because of the Sabbath, but it was not cheap. The words of Isaiah were fulfilled when he said hundreds of years earlier
D. Isaiah 53:9 Isaiah’s prophesy was fulfilled.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.


III. GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD Matthew 28: 1 - 10
No one saw Jesus rise, but a huge number saw Him alive after He had risen from the dead.
This was now the third day since the crucifixion of Jesus. It was the dawn of the first day of the week when the following events took place. The Jewish Sabbath was now over. The Jewish day began at sunset, while the Roman day began at sunrise. The time setting is “late on the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week” (v. 1). The Sunday morning was dawning. It is not immediately after the Sabbath was over because that would have been at sunset on Saturday. About twelve hours have passed over and it is early in the morning before dawn of the sun on Sunday.
A. Matt. 28: 1 The Women came.
1 ¶ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
When the women arrived early in the morning Jesus had already risen and left the tomb.
B. Matt. 28: 2 The stone removed
The Lord got their attention with the a violent earthquake.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

It happened suddenly. There is the sudden earthquake, the angel coming from heaven to the tomb and rolling away the stone, not to let Jesus out of the tomb, but to let the women, and later the disciples to look in. Unless the stone was rolled away the women and others would surely think the body of Jesus was still there inside the tomb. The stone that guarded the tomb became the seat for the angel. The angel rolled the stone over and sat on it.
Mark’s account says the women asked themselves, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away.


C. Matt. 28: 3 Matthew describes the appearance of the angel
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
D. Matt. 28: 4 The Roman guards passed out
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
The Roman soldiers saw the angel They were paralyzed with fear like dead men.




E. Matt. 28: 5 – 8 The angel’s message is Jesus is risen
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
The angel didn’t say anything to the Roman guards. They had all fainted. So he turned his attention to the women. He began by calming the women down.
The women came looking for the body of Jesus who had been crucified. They were not looking for the risen Jesus. They had come to bury the dead and there was no dead to bury.
“He is not here, for He has risen” (v. 6). “as He said.” It happened just like Jesus said it would.
Jesus had repeatedly promised before His death that He would be crucified and then rise again from the dead.



F. Matt. 28: 7 They were told to go quickly.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
He told them Jesus has risen from the dead. You will see Him in Galilee.
They were afraid but very happy. Imagine for a moment those obedient women taking off in a run to tell the disciples and in obedience they meet Jesus.
G. Matt. 28: 9 – 10 Jesus met the women
Suddenly Jesus appeared to the women and they went up to Him. They recognized Him without any difficulty. They came right up to Him and took hold of His feet in an act of worship. These women had been the last to leave at the cross and were first at the tomb, and now they are the first to see Jesus alive.
Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
These women demonstrated their submission to their risen Lord in a manner in which subjects were accustomed to render a king in the East.
1. Philippians 2: 10 - 11
The apostle Paul tells us one day we will do likewise.


10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The obvious thing Matthew is telling us is the fact that Jesus’ resurrected body was a real body. This is the real thing and not a hallucination or vision. They could feel His body was as real as theirs. It was not a spirit or ghost.




H. Matt. 28: 16 – 17 Jesus met the disciples
“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some were doubtful”
The disciples who had been scattered since the crucifixion and behind locked doors in Jerusalem, made their way to Galilee and there saw Jesus with their own eyes and worshipped Him. Matthew was one of them and this is his testimony of that meeting. Most of the other recorded appearances of Jesus alive after His death took place in Judea and Jerusalem.
I. Matt. 28: 11 – 15 Roman guards' report to Jewish authorities
Christianity has nothing to hide. It is an open book to be read by all.
Just like the resurrection the facts, the words of the lying authorities is told simply. The soldiers were as prompt as the women. Did they see Jesus alive? Did they know He was alive? “Some of the guard” went to the chief priests. We do not know what happened to the others. Matthew explains the source of the lie about the disciples stealing the body of Jesus. Everything is reported in a matter- of-fact style.
Of great interest is the fact that the guards reported “everything that happened when the angel came to the tomb.” The Jewish leaders were given an authentic testimony by credible witnesses they had chosen who where there. They had demanded the guards be Roman. They had demanded the seal on the tomb. These witnesses on duty at the grave gave a testimony as to what they saw and experienced at the tomb! They stated the truth that the body of Jesus was supernaturally removed from the grave.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
When you get an eyewitness report like this you are forced to decide to accept it or come up with defenses for your lies. The religious leaders had the facts of the empty tomb. They knew something extraordinary had happened. There was no body in the tomb. If you can’t produce the body then your only alternative is to pay off the soldiers with a large bribe . They paid them a “large sum of money.” The Roman soldiers had to say, “We were sleeping while on duty as guards at the tomb and Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole His body.”
There must have been a considerable amount of money that passed hands that day for Roman soldiers to say they slept on the job. This was a serious military offense that would have brought down the heaviest of Roman military penalty on them.
If they were asleep they could not have known it, and if one of them knew, he would have awakened the others. Either way the soldiers would have committed a crime and would have been severely disciplined. They could have faced death.

The chief priests were asking these seasoned Roman soldiers to sign their death warrant. It would have been suicidal to say they were asleep on the job. No one would have believed that for a moment. Matthew must have told this event with a roar of laughter. Of course, there are always those who are gullible for such deception. The facts are simple: the tomb was empty and eyewitnesses saw, heard and touched Jesus.

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What happened to the lie when the news spread that people had actually seen Jesus alive?
The important thing is this: Neither the Jews nor anyone else could produce the body of Jesus. No body was ever produced by anyone. The tomb was empty! And it still is.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus was the Son of God. The payment for our redemption has been paid in full.
The tomb is empty because Jesus rose triumphantly.



IV. Matt. 28: 16 – 20 GO AND TELL THE WORLD
A. Matt. 28: 18 Jesus spoke unto them.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Jesus has absolute authority over all living creatures in heaven and earth. He is Lord and King. He has the fullest possible authority of God. He has absolute power and authority. There are no limitations.
“I am with you always (lit. all the time), even to the end of the age” is great encouragement for our day. It is a statement of fact.
He is with us under all conditions and situations. How long do we go before acknowledging Him?
Jesus has in mind the time from His resurrection until the end of the world or end of time. He will never leave us. The one who experienced God forsakenness will never leave us down and out.
Jesus did not say, “I will be with you,” but “I am with you.” There is certainty, security and comfort in what He says.
No fact in history stands on such firm evidence as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Men do not believe because they do not want to believe. There is solid evidence that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and He lives today. The choice is yours because Acts 4: 12 says: 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. There are no choices without eternal consequences.
Jesus Christ was “declared to be the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead.” It is the seal of the divine acceptance of His sacrifice for our sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us of all sin. The resurrection completed His work of atonement and stamped it with divine approval. It says that the Father has accepted the Son’s perfect sacrifice as a complete and perfect ransom for all who take their refuge in Christ.
B. Matt. 28: 19 – 20 What Do I Do Now?
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1. What if you have never been baptized for the remission of your sins?
Acts 2: 38 Peter preached to the multitude about Jesus. They ask what must we do?
Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2. Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
3. What do you need to do today?
If you have never obeyed Christ in baptism you need to be baptized. If you were baptized and you are not sure what for of why you need to be baptized for the remission of your sins.
4. Christians need to go and teach others that they might be baptized into Christ.
Jesus arose from the dead that he might show his power over death and the cross.
Will we deny Christ by our disobedience or will we obey Him and have eternal life in Him?