Matthew 16:1 – 26:56

Overview

The Gospel of Matthew  shows the compassion Jesus  displays through his teaching and healing.  During his ministry, Jesus tells his disciples that he will be die and rise again after 3 days.  He refers to himself as the Temple.   Some of the highlights from today’s reading include Peters proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, the transfiguration,  Jesus entering Jerusalem as a King, the arrest and trial & crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of our Lord.

Scripture Matthew 28:5

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Observation

Empty Tomb

Empty Tomb - Painted by William Wallace

Jesus was crucified on the cross and has died and been buried in a tomb secured by a large stone.  Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the burial place of Jesus  and experienced an earthquake and then found an angel of the Lord sitting next to the tomb.   The angel confirmed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was no longer in the tomb.  He offered visual evidence to verify Jesus was no longer there.

Application

Every day, millions of Christians proclaim that Jesus is Lord.  They seek, praise and pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth to serve, seek and save the lost.  Everything we believe as Christians hinges on the resurrection.  Without the resurrection there would be no Christianity.  The scripture above give confidence that Christ did not simply die as the sacrifice for our sins, but he conquered death and is alive.    In the book of Matthew, Jesus appears several times after his crucifixion.   We read that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary  meet Jesus on their way to tell the disciples what has happened(mat 28:10) .  We also read that Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles at the great commission (Matt 28:16).  As the angel of the Lord proclaimed, “He is Risen!”

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are the Almighty God.  You have conquered death and are alive.  I praise your name that one day, all in Christ will rise!