Matthew 28
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
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. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Three imperatives for the first two witnesses of the resurrection:
1) They were urged to believe.
Each year at Easter I get to preach on the Resurrection. In my sermon I always say to my skeptical, secular friends that, even if they can’t believe in the resurrection, they should want it to be true. Most of them care deeply about justice for the poor, alleviating hunger and disease, and caring for the environment. Yet many of them believe that the material world was caused by accident and that the world and everything in it will eventually burn up. They find it discouraging that so few people care about justice without realizing that their own worldview undermines any motivation to make the world a better place. Why sacrifice for the needs of others if in the end nothing we do will make any difference? However, if the resurrection of Jesus happened, that means there’s infinite hope and reason to pour ourselves out for the needs of the world.
-Tim Keller, The Reason for God
Maybe the question isn’t “Do you understand God’s grace?” But “What is keeping you from God’s grace?”
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
2) They were urged to share.
(Two Implications)
3) They were urged to rejoice!
Greetings - Rejoice
Chairo - Khah-ee-ro - hail
Two times it’s used in Matthew -
Matthew 26:49
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Last thing Judas says to him as he is betraying him.
Matthew 27:29
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
What Jesus heard when he was being mocked and beaten.
Jesus gets the last word. Jesus conquers. Jesus wins.
Revelation 21
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Revelation 22
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Therefore we proclaim this mystery of faith:
Call:
The strife is over, the battle done,
Now is the victor’s triumph won
O let the song of praise be sung:
All:
Alleluia!
Call:
The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head!
All:
Alleluia!
Call:
The Lord is risen!
All:
He is risen, indeed!
Communion
Small Group Questions
Opening Question (Icebreaker)
Easter is all about unexpected joy—what’s the best surprise you’ve ever received?
1. Urged to Believe
Read Matthew 28:1–7.
How would you describe the emotions Mary Magdalene and the other Mary might have felt as they encountered the empty tomb?
Dig Deeper:
Tim Keller says that even skeptics should want the resurrection to be true. What stands out to you about that idea?
Philippians 3:10 speaks of knowing “the power of his resurrection” and “the sharing of his sufferings.” What does it mean to live in the tension of resurrection power and Christlike suffering?
2. Urged to Share
Read Matthew 28:8–10.
What do you notice about the women’s response to encountering Jesus? What stands out in their reaction?
Reflect & Apply:
Why do you think the angel and Jesus both repeat the command to “go and tell”?
Who in your life might need to hear the good news of the resurrection right now? What keeps us from sharing?
3. Urged to Rejoice
“Greetings!” – Jesus (literally “Rejoice!”)
Read Matthew 28:9 and connect to Revelation 21:1–5.
The same word “greetings” was used in moments of betrayal and mocking (Matthew 26–27), but Jesus reclaims it in resurrection. What does that say about his power over evil and pain?
Discussion:
How does the resurrection help you face personal disappointment, loss, or suffering?
Revelation 21:5 says, “I am making everything new.” What in your life do you long to see made new?
Personal Reflection:
Where are you being invited to choose joy right now—even in uncertainty?