THE RESURRECTION
OF JESUS – MATTHEW 28:1-10
1Now after the
Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary went to see the tomb.
2And 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. 3His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothing white as snow.
4And for fear of him
the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid,
for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has
risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
7Then 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.”
8So they departed
quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9And behold, Jesus
met them and said, “Greetings!”
And they came up and
took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
10Then Jesus said to
them,
“Do not be afraid; go
and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
COMMENTARY
Early on Sunday
morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleophas, Salome, and Joanna, accompanied by
other women (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10), came to anoint the body of Lord Jesus to
the tomb where He was laid down by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60).
The stories alternate
in details in the four canonical gospels.
They wondered who would
unroll the big stone that covered the entry to the tomb, which was literally inside
a cave, in a modern mausoleum style, since Joseph of Arimathea was well off.
They knew the romans soldiers were guarding the tomb but they did not count
with their help (Mark 16:3).
But what two angels
of God had already appeared and unrolled the stone to welcome the resurrected
Jesus, causing a paralyzing surprise to the roman soldiers at the door, so
much, that they fainted (Matthew 28:1-4).
The women were
surprised. They ventured into the opened tomb, and they saw two men sitting
next to where Jesus was laid, dressed up in white and of shining blinding appearance
(Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4). They were confronted by one of them, and explained that
Jesus was not there anymore, but that He had resurrected as He promised, and
that they should go and tell his disciples that He was going to meet them in
Galilee (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6-7; Luke 24:5-7).
They became afraid
and they doubted. This is obvious in the fact that Mary Magdalene remained
crying, and further explanation was given to her by the angel, until finally
Jesus Himself appeared to her (John 20:11-17), and also to the other women
(Matthew 28:9).
Confirmed in their
faith, they went to announce this to Peter and the other disciples (Luke
24:10-11).
Peter and John went
to the tomb, and they did not see neither angels, nor Jesus, but they saw his
linen, remembering the words of the Lord, until that evening Lord Jesus appeared
to all his disciples and apostles (Luke 24:12; John 20:3-10).
With his
resurrection, Lord Jesus came victorious over Romans, Judaism and anyone who
wished Him his death.
Jesus was executed,
expired and buried, and without any help, He rose from the death, alive.
Never in history, a
human being has resurrected or claimed to have resurrected, from death by
Himself. But Jesus alone.
With his
resurrection, Lord Jesus conquered death, and all the universe putting everything
under his authority, winning over the ultimate and most feared enemy of every living
creature, Death.
As Jesus won over his
own death, He has also power to resurrect to eternal life in glory, all those
who come to Him in belief and repentance, and remain faithful to Him to the
end.
Jesus crowned Himself
King of Heaven, Earth and Death, closing everything under his control,
surrendering all to the authority of Lord GOD YHWH (1Corinthians 15:27-28).
Omar Flores.
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