The Good News and the Great Commission

Today we wrap up our study in the book of Matthew.  We are reading the final portion in Matthew 27:57–28: 20.

In the opening line of our passage today there is so much we can visualize, “As evening approached …”  Picture the scene.  So many things had taken place that day.  The darkness, the earthquake, people rising from their tombs, the veil had been torn and now evening comes.  The sun is setting and I’m sure people everywhere were wondering about all the things that had taken place that day. 

The other way I can understand this passage is not only from the history of the day, but what was about to take place futuristically.  The evening was approaching.  It was about to be nightfall in a physical sense and spiritually speaking as well.  Joseph from Arimathea was about to bury the One the disciples had called Messiah.  They must have wondered if they had misinterpreted Jesus’ words.

The two women watched from a distance as Joseph laid Jesus to rest.  There was no big funeral procession.  There was no viewing of the body and giving condolences to the family.  It was a quiet evening.  There was Joseph placing the body in the tomb and two women watching from a distance.  Sabbath was dawning.  Jesus was resting in the tomb.

But the Pharisees were not at rest.  They were anything, but at rest.  They were fearful.  They were still trying to control the situation.  So they asked Pilate to send soldiers to guard the tomb.

When Sabbath was over the two women came back to the tomb as dawn approached.  Then another earthquake took place only this time an angel appeared.  The men who stood guard fainted, but the women listened to the angel’s good news, “He is Risen!”

I don’t know where you are in your life right now.  Maybe you had a bad day.  Maybe you feel the “evening approaching”.  Maybe there are dark days ahead for whatever reason or circumstances.  But with each evening that approaches there is a dawn coming!

Maybe you are in that time of the dawn.  Things are good.  You are living in the dawn of a new day. 

Either place we are at in our lives today there is good news, “He is Risen!”  If you are having a dark day we can focus on the Risen Savior and know that that same power is available for you and your situation today.  If you are having a bright day then you too can focus on and give thanks to the Risen One.

Matthew ends the chapter and does not go into much detail about the final 40 days of Jesus here on earth that some of the other gospels do, but Matthew does leave us with one final word of instruction from Jesus.  Matthew repeats Jesus’ admonition for us and it is where we will end our study today, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Heavenly Father, what an incredible life our Savior lived.  We have learned so much from Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life.  Father, in today’s study we are blessed to read the good news and the great commission.  Jesus indeed is RISEN and because of that we have the opportunity to tell others and to teach them more about You.  Thank You that You are always with us as the evening approaches and as the dawn arises we have that promise that You will never leave us, nor forsake us.  Thank You!  It is in the Name of our Risen Savior I pray, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Amen & Amen.