Bible Study - CHRIST (6) - Resurrection like No Other - Matthew 28:1-10 - April 5, 2015

Bible Study – CHRIST (6) – Resurrection like No Other – April 5, 2015

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “Like No Other: The Life of CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 28:1-10.

JESUS is alive – and we can live forever. Who raised JESUS from the dead? 

We read in Acts 2:23-24:

23 This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men. 24 [But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it (death). (Amplified)

1 Corinthians 15:20-23:

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the • firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man (Adam), the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man (CHRIST). 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. (Amplified)

The ultimate proof that CHRIST was and is the only true Son of GOD is that GOD raised HIM from the dead. As further assurance of HIS resurrection, when a person accepts CHRIST as his or her Savior, through faith, the Holy Spirit indwells that person as a security deposit or down payment that the person is GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth.

Let’s consider what JESUS had told HIS disciples would happen to HIM earlier as we read in Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23 and 20:19:

Matthew 16:21-22:

21 From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, •chief priests, and • scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!”

Matthew 17:22-23:

22 As they were meeting in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” And they were deeply distressed.

Matthew 20:17-19:

17 While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the 12 disciples aside privately and said to them on the way: 18 “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The • Son of Man will be handed over to the •chief priests and • scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. 19 Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and He will be resurrected on the third day.”

How often we forget when things do not go as we think they will go. JESUS’ disciples scattered when JESUS died but guess who remembered the words JESUS spoke regarding HIS resurrection, as we read in Matthew 27:62-66:

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, (Friday) the chief priests and the • Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.

The tomb where JESUS was laid was sealed and guarded by the temple police.

Let’s read Matthew 28:1-7:

1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, • Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

After the Jewish Sabbath, which would be our Sunday some women went to the tomb where they had placed the dead body of JESUS to complete the embalming process.

When we combine the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, each give us the list of the women who went to the tomb of JESUS:

Matthew 28:1 - Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.

Mark 16:1 - 1 When the Sabbath was over, • Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him.

Luke 23:55-56 - 55 The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 24:9-10 - 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 • Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.

John 20:1 - 1 On the first day of the week • Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark.

Women of that day were not considered of great value and it is interesting that the most profound event to ever happen in the world was revealed to women, the resurrection of JESUS. JESUS always valued women and reached out to them and HE did so by them witnessing HIS resurrection. HIS disciples were hiding and afraid but these gutsy women went to the tomb in love and compassion that JESUS would get a proper burial. And what a joy they witnessed.

Matthew’s gospel gives us an account of what these women’s experienced. An earthquake, when the angel descended, caused the stone covering the entrance to the tomb where JESUS body had been placed was rolled away as they approached the tomb. This was to reveal that JESUS had not escaped by HIM physically walking out of the tomb but a miracle had taken place because GOD resurrected HIS physical body.

This was an example and confirmation that GOD has the power over the physical and the Spiritual to all who place their faith in CHRIST. A Christian’s born-again Spirit exits his or her physical body at the death of their physical body and he or she is immediately in the presence of CHRIST and GOD in Heaven. At the second coming of CHRIST, those with CHRIST in Heaven will follow behind HIM and will be united with their new Glorified body for eternity as we read in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [ in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave]. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [ in death]. 15 For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death]. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! 18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words. (Amplified)

A Christian’s new Glorified body will be like JESUS’ Glorified body after HIS resurrection. Study what CHRIST did after HIS resurrection and you will get a glimpse of what your Glorified body, as a Christian, will be like.

As we see in our scripture, gloom turns to great joy because of the resurrection of CHRIST. When we come to the realization of the resurrected CHRIST, the joy of that moment is overwhelming. Friday was a day of gloom, doom and no hope but in the darkest hour there is hope because, “It is Friday but Sunday is coming!”

What do we want to do when we experience the resurrected JESUS? We want to do exactly what these ladies wanted to do! We rejoice because HIS resurrection is the assurance of the resurrection of all who place their faith in HIM.

Let’s read Matthew 28:8-10:

8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

When the resurrection of CHRIST is revealed and we accept HIM as our Savior, we encounter HIM. Salvation is just the beginning of a life long process of getting to really know HIM personally and intimately through relationship. The in dwelling Holy Spirit comes to our aid in enlightening us to truth and embracing truth. We want to tell others this Great News!  

When we embrace CHRIST as truth and see what HE did for us, we worship HIM because of HIS great love HE has for us, while we were yet sinners, HE gave HIS life for us so that we will receive eternal life at the instant we place our faith in HIM.

Christians are not to be afraid but we are to worship CHRIST and go and tell the Good News of JESUS CHRIST and HIS resurrection to others.

JESUS said HE was going to Galilee and HIS disciples should meet HIM there. Why Galilee? JESUS and HIS disciples, with the exception of Judas, were all from Galilee. JESUS taught and most of the miracles were manifested in Galilee. It was the home area of JESUS and where HE was rejected. I think HE returned to HIS home area to reveal to them that HE was Who HE said HE was, The Son of GOD.

As Christians obediently follow JESUS, HE will reveal more of Himself to them as they walk with HIM. After HIS death and resurrection, JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days and over 500 people witnessed HIS resurrection as we read the Apostle Paul’s review of  death and resurrection of JESUS in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:

3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to • Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen • asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

Do you believe it? JESUS was and is the true Son of GOD and HE gave HIS life just for you. Will you accept HIM by placing your faith in HIM and asking HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life?

If you did, then thank HIM for coming into your life and go and tell someone what you have done. This is just the beginning of an awesome journey with CHRIST. It will not be easy but the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit will be with you each step of your journey. Begin by reading the Gospel of John and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you and HE will. Pray as you study the Bible and also ask GOD to lead you to the place where you can be Spiritually fed. I rejoice with you in this your new life in CHRIST my brother or sister.

To those who are Christians and have not been living for HIM, confess your sins and return to HIM because HE is right where you left HIM. Keep in mind John 3:16-18 and John 5:24:

16 “For God loved the world •in this way: He gave His •One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

John 5:24: (JESUS is speaking.)

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

HAPPY EASTER! BECAUSE WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR! 

Blessings!!!