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.
Meditate on the essence of the charge given to the women.
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 saw, and they told.
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 in our next installment. Suffice for now 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.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
The angel holds the teaching key that unlocks our understanding of fear and fear.
The guards shook with fear and became like dead men because of the angel.
And truthfully, this was the intended goal for those benighted, powerless men.
Moments after rendering grown men dumbstruck by his power,
the angel turned to the women and said, “Do not be afraid” (Matt. 28.5).
Quaking fear was not the goal for these dear, faithful women.
There is horrifying fear, and then there is respectful, honoring fear.
And the word the angel offered to the women sums up beautifully the good news/bad news of the Gospel.
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matt. 28.6). Just as He said!
What God said is true/therefore what God says is true.
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;
and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3.36).
And about properly placed fear?
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10.28).
For most assuredly:
“Every word of God is pure…” (NKJV)
“Every word of God is flawless…” (NIV)
“Every word of God proves true…” (ESV)
“He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him” (Prov. 30.5).
“Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel.
All came to pass” (Josh. 21.45).
Wonder why we sometimes appear more like the “dead” guards than the lively Marys?
If we believe the Word of God is true, then we clearly understand we must do what it says.
Come and see that He is risen. Now, go and tell what God has done.
Let us be as willing as Mary and Mary to:
go at once, no questions asked, to fulfill our mission—
with proper fear and great joy!
He is risen. Just as He said!
Reflect.
1. In what sense do you fear the Lord? How do you experience that fear?
2. How can we know that God’s Word is reliable and sure? What does it mean to trust His Word?
3. How does “come see/go tell” apply to your daily life?
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
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.
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. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Men, check out the fall schedule of reading and study groups. Lots of opportunities here to grow and make some new friends. And check out our clearance sale at The Ailbe Bookstore.
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast features excerpts from the book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column continues our study of “Everyday Christianity”. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
