Matthew 28

A lot has happened in the 2 chapters I did not post about. There has been a betrayal, an arrest, a denial, a rather convoluted trial, and an execution. In the midst of it all, Jesus has: remained peaceful when threatened, accepted every charge from those who judge him, gone willingly to his execution, and given up his spirit willingly. The earth quaked, the dead rose, the curtain in the temple ripped from top to bottom, and the guards believed. Now Jesus lays in a sealed tomb with guards at its entrance.
Matthew does not give great detail about the resurrection of Jesus, and what he does give extra time to is details about the how the guards deceived people (Matthew seems very intent on debunking the religious leaders' false reporting). His account at this point is brief, but he gives us our most important challenge, surrounded by 2 amazing promises.

Promise 1- All authority on earth and in heaven has been given to Jesus.

Challenge- Go, makes disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teach them everything Jesus has commanded us.

Promise 2- "I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.

The challenge for us is always to follow Christ and share his message with others. Our commission is one that sends the church to all corners of the earth. When we fail to be productive in the ministry Jesus has called us to, it is often because we fail to believe the promises. We get the "where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name I am there" promise stuck in our brain, but fail to claim the promise that Jesus is with us always and forever, and he has authority over everything! He does not send us to the world powerless and alone...just the opposite. Matthew writes 28 chapters telling his story but spends just 20 verses sharing the resurrection. Why so few? Because for Matthew it is as simple as a challenge surrounded by 2 promises. We will turn next to Acts (written by Luke) and see just how the early church took up the challenge and lived in those promises. May we claim the promises of Christ's presence and authority, and, like those who have done so before us, go and rock our world.