Matthew 28 Commentary
Corruption at the temple! The guards get a large sum of money to keep quiet. Never mind. There is an army of saints who won’t need any money at all to tell the world about the resurrection of the Master. Actually, they will risk their own lives doing it.
Add deception to corruption! There is also false accusation. “Do not accuse anyone falsely.” Exodus 20 verse 16. But who cares? These priests and elders don’t care about the commandments of the God of their institution! It is a dead situation! How can they blatantly ignore a clearly stated commandment? It should be commandment number 8 from the 10 commandments. And they claimed to have Moses as their teacher! No wonder the Creator God scattered this institution! It no longer represented the interests of the owner of the house.
Why does the angel of the LORD show up? The physical appearance of the presence of the LORD (His angel) shakes the earth violently as he unrolls the stone away. He sits on it. Why? We know it wasn’t to open the pathway for Jesus! He had already arisen. In any case and at this point, He didn’t need any physical barriers to restrict him.
The LORD leaves us sufficient proof to believe – like we truly need one. His creation should be sufficient evidence to any serious seeker!
The angelic appearance makes hardcore soldiers faint with fear. The effect on the saint is quite different. Mary and Mary, and probably more, are sober enough to hear the words of the angel: He is risen, go tell His disciples.
We can see how the appearance of the Son of Man will have contrasting effects. The saints that await His appearance will be overjoyed, while unbelievers will be like dead men with fear. “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” Malachi 4. “All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 4.
The women were looking for Jesus, so the angel stated. Let’s check this statement. It wasn’t like they didn’t know their master was dead. Looking for Jesus was an act of longing for His presence. They sought and they found.
Look at the timing of the appearance of the angel and the audience. How we wish the angel showed up when priests and Pharisees went to arrest Jesus! A needless act! A heavenly entourage is always a privilege reserved for god-fearing groups and individuals. It is always a special gift! The unbelieving Pharisees would look for a sign in vain!
Compare the two instructions. First: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel” Matthew 10 verses 5 and 6. Second: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28 verse 19.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7. Immanuel means “GOD WITH US”. Jesus is never referenced by this name until this time! Yes, this time and all time after this. He is always with the saint. The saint becomes the LORD’s temple, His dwelling place. You can see why Caiaphas and his team are uselessly irrelevant!
“Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” The disciples have been everything: children, sons, daughters, kingdom subjects, and learners among others. In this chapter, they are brothers! Never mind; the sisters know already!
I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” Psalms 22 verse 22.
We cannot simplify or summarize the gospel of Matthew. Every piece means everything! The phrase, “kingdom of heaven” runs throughout the volume. It is clear: the son, actually the Son (Son of Man, Son of David, or Son of God) is actually Isaiah’s depiction of the son born to us with the government on His shoulders – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. How can we ever put these thoughts in print?
Matthew is ended here. Thanks.
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