RESURRECTION

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Matthew 28:1-15
Lesson #73
RESURRECTION

• Memory verse: Rom 8:11
• Read Mat 28:1-11 The resurrection
  • Mar 16:1-11
  • Luk 24:1-12
  • Joh 20:1-18
  • The order of events of the resurrection in the four gospels:
    • All of the events of the resurrection are not found in one gospel.
    • We need to combine all the facts from the four gospels.
      • An earthquake occurred. (Mat 28:2)
      • The soldiers who had become unconscious flee when they awoke. (Mat 28:2-4)
      • An angel opened the tomb. (Mat 28:2)
        • Three women (Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and Mary Salome) came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body.
        • They encountered the angel that showed them the empty tomb. (Mat 28:5-6 Mar 16:1-3) These three women were with Jesus at the foot of the cross.
      • Mary Magdalene ran to tell Peter and John. (Joh 20:1-2)
      • Meanwhile the other women entered the tomb to see that it was empty. (Mat 28:8)
      • Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb. (Joh 20:4-10)
      • John arrives first but hesitates while Peter enters the tomb and sees the empty grave clothes. What did he see?
        • He did not see an unwrapped cloth.
        • He saw the cloth still in the shape of a body, but it was empty.
      • John and Peter saw that the tomb was empty and they left. (Joh 20:4-10)
      • Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb weeping when Jesus revealed himself to her. (Joh 20:11-18) She could not touch him.
      • While the other women were on their way to tell other disciples, they met Jesus. (Mat 28:9-10) They could touch him.
      • The first witnesses to observe the empty tomb are instructed:
        • To see and believe
        • To go and tell others
        • To rejoice
      • We have the same admonition.
        • We see the truth about Jesus in the word of God.
        • By faith we believe that He is risen.
        • We are to go tell others the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
        • We are to rejoice in worship for what God has done through Jesus for us.
• The importance of the resurrection:
  • Read Rom 8:11
  • Read 1Cor 15:11-23
    • Because He is raised from the dead, so will we be raised from the dead.
    • If Jesus Christ had been crucified and not raised from the dead, then the payment for our sins would not be complete.
    • Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the sign that God received the payment for our sins and rewards that payment with eternal life for us.
    • It was the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
      • The Bible says that we have that same power within us as believers.
      • That same Holy Spirit will raise us from the dead someday. (Rom 8:11)
• Read Mat 28:11-15 The deception and official explanation
  • Some of the soldiers guarding the tomb told the Jewish authorities of the empty tomb.
  • The official explanation:
    • The Jewish authorities were worried that people would believe Jesus had really risen from the dead as He said He would.
    • The Jewish authorities wanted the soldiers to tell the Roman authorities that they had fallen asleep and the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body.
      • If a soldier fell asleep while on guard duty, it was an offense punishable by death.
      • However, the lie is not logical because if they had fallen asleep, they would not know if anyone came to steal the body.
  • The soldiers were bribed to lie about falling asleep with the promise that the Roman authorities would also receive a bribe to overlook the soldiers’ offense.
    • Evidently the soldiers agreed to this deception because it became the official explanation among the Jews and is still believed by many people.
    • However, as we will see in our next lesson, there were many people who saw Jesus after his resurrection and testified to the fact that He had risen from the dead.

Homework

Matthew 28:16-20

• Application of Mat 28:1-15
  • How has the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection made a difference in how you think about: ‘
    • …the purpose of your life?
    • …your dealings with Satan?
    • …your relationship to God, the Father?
• Preparation for Mat 28:16-20
  • Mat 28:16-20
    • Besides on the day of resurrection, there were many others who saw the resurrected Jesus.
    • Read the following scriptures and make a list of those witnesses.
      • John 20:26-31
      • John 21
      • Mat 28:16-20
      • 1Cor 15:7
      • Act 1:3-12
• Memory verse: 1Corinthians 15:2