Matthew 28: Risen! (5)

Pray Psalm 16.8, 9.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.

Sing Psalm 16.8, 9, 11.
(All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
You are ever with me, Lord; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

Read Matthew 28.1-17; Meditate on verses 16, 17.

Prepare.
1. How did the disciples respond to the report of the women?

2. How did they respond to Jesus?

Meditate.
We can assume that the women carried out their assignment (v. 10), for the disciples “went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them” (v. 16). Some questions come to mind: Why didn’t Jesus just meet them on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem? Why did He have them make that rather long journey to Galilee? And how was it that the disciples were able to believe the women, and leave their hiding places to go to Galilee?

We have to make some additional assumptions here, which we do by bringing in the other gospel writers to clarify and enlarge on this passage. The disciples apparently did not go into Galilee right away. Rather, Jesus appeared to them in Jerusalem on the same day He rose from the dead (Jn. 20.19). At that time, He showed the proofs of His resurrection, and He rebuked the disciples for their unbelief (Jn. 20.20; Mk. 16.14). Had the women conveyed the message, and they just didn’t take it seriously? That seems to have been the case, as we see from Luke 24.22-24.

Jesus appeared to the disciples after the two traveling to Emmaus returned to report about His resurrection (Lk. 24.33-36). He rebuked the disciples for their doubts, then took them to the Scriptures, opening their understanding and explaining to them why it was necessary for Him to die and rise again (Lk. 24.44-47).

So when Matthew reports, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee,” we can, I think, conclude that Jesus had already appeared to them to show Himself alive, rebuke their unbelief, and reiterate the message given by the women. Galilee was the crossroads of the world, where the worlds of Jews and Gentiles came together. It was the appropriate setting for the Great Commission, with which Jesus would charge His disciples and us.

In Galilee, on the appointed mountain, when the disciples saw Him again, “they worshiped Him; but some doubted” (v. 17). Doesn’t that describe most of us? We worship Jesus because we have come to know Him. But we still doubt the reliability of His Word or the seriousness of His calling: “How can we be witnesses?” “Who would listen to us?” “Won’t there be some risk involved?” “I’ve never done anything like this before.” All the usual hesitations and excuses. Just like the ones we hide behind.

We all need a little more of the faith of those faithful women, who saw Jesus, worshiped Him, heard His Word, embraced their mission, and carried it out, even in the face of doubts and unbelief by those who should have known better.

Reflect.
1. Why did Jesus rebuke His disciples? Does He ever rebuke you?

2. What can we learn from the women who bore Jesus’ message to the disciples?

3. How can believers help one another overcome their doubts about Jesus and His calling?

This seems to me to be the last appearance in Galilee, when he sent them out to baptize. And if “some doubted,” herein again admire the Evangelists’ truthfulness. Even up to the last day, they were determined not to conceal even their own shortcomings. Nevertheless even these are assured by what they see. John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 90.2

I believe, Lord! Help my unbelief, so that today I will…

Pray Psalm 16.1-7, 10, 11.
Seek the Presence of the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to go with you as you prepare to work your Personal Mission Field today.

Sing Psalm 16.1-7, 10, 11.
Psalm 16.1-7, 10, 11 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Preserve me, O my God; I refuge seek in You.
You alone are all my good, my Lord and Savior true!
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

The saints within the earth, majestic in their day,
delight me with the worth of all they do and say.
Refrain

They endless tears shall weep who worship idols vain.
Their ways I will not keep, nor speak their empty names.
Refrain

My portion and my cup are You, my Savior dear;
You help and hold me up and ever keep me near.
Refrain

I bless Your Name, O Lord; my mind instructs each night.
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right.
Refrain

Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
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).