Matthew 28: Risen! (2)

Pray Psalm 144.1, 2.
Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—
My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.

Sing Psalm 144.1, 2, 15.
(Tidings: O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling)
Blessed be the Lord, Who trains my hands for battle;
He is my Rock, my steadfast love and strength!
He is my shield; no foe can shake or rattle;
He will subdue them all to me at length.
Refrain v. 15
Happy are they on whom blessings fall!
Blessed are the people who on Jesus’ mercy call!

Read Matthew 28.1-8; meditate on verses 5-8.

Prepare.
1. What instructions did the angel give the women?

2. How did the women respond?

Meditate.
The meaning of Jesus’ resurrection can be summarized in the words of this angel: “Come see; go tell.”

Angels are a comforting presence to those who believe. Here the angel’s manifestation to the women is the same as the angel to the shepherds when Jesus was born: “Don’t be afraid” (cf. Lk. 2.10). The faithful have nothing to fear from engaging the unseen realm, for now Jesus has passed through the veil and is ruling at the right hand of the Father. Angels do His bidding, and carry out His will, all of which is toward us for good (Rom. 8.28).

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” What a world of joy and assurance is packed into that simple statement! He is not here because death cannot hold Him. He is risen because He said He would, and nothing can thwart His will. What He has said, will be, and what He has done changes everything.

Come see, go tell: The women did, and they would.

The angel commissioned the women to bring the Good News to the disciples (v. 7). This is an extremely important action, which we’ll explore more fully tomorrow. Suffice to show that the first evangelists in the new era of the Gospel were women, commissioned from on high.

True to their calling, the women went at once to fulfill their mission (v. 8). We note that they were filled “with fear and great joy”. No, these affections are not opposites; they are complementary, and instruct us about the nature of our relationship with God. We fear Him because of Who He is and who we are; but we rejoice in the salvation Jesus has accomplished for us, and to be called by Him to make that Good News known.

Come see, go tell. This should be our practice every day.

Reflect.
1. Why is “come see, go tell” a good way to think about our lives as followers of Jesus?

2. Why do you think the Lord chose the women to take the Good News to the disciples?

3. Why are fear and joy two sides of the same coin of faith?

The women received the reward of continuing with him. They were first to see and gladly declare not only what had been said to them but also what they themselves had seen.  John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 89.2

Let me see You in Your Word, Lord Jesus, that I may go and tell Your Good News to…

Pray Psalm 144.3-15.
Christ has given us His salvation, and He calls us to proclaim it to the world. We are happiest and most blessed when we’re following where Jesus leads.

Sing Psalm 144.3-15.
Psalm 144.3-15 (Tidings: O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling)
Lord, who are we, that You regard and love us?
Why should You care for our poor sinful plight?
We are but breath; You dwell on high above us;
our days like shadows pass before Your light.
Refrain
Happy are they on whom blessings fall!
Blessed are the people who on Jesus’ mercy call!

Bow down the heav’ns, come down and touch the mountains.
Flash forth like lightning; scatter all Your foes!
Send out Your arrows, send them out to rout them;
stretch forth Your hand and save us from all woes!
Refrain

From every foe and every lie deliver!
Then will we sing new songs unto Your praise.
Rescue Your servants, who are Yours forever;
grant us deliv’rance by Your hand always.
Refrain

Bless, Lord, our children, strengthen them forever.
All our provision, day by day supply.
Bless our endeavors; from distress deliver.
Keep us from harm and all distressing cries.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).