Matthew 28

In this chapter there are three main sections concerning Jesus' resurrection. The women who first see the angel and then worship Jesus; The planned deceit from the chief priests; and the Great Commission.

While the climax of the Gospel is the Cross, it does not end there. The Gospel continues until the resurrection and the commissioning of the disciples. Becoming a follower of Jesus is free by Grace. In exchange for eternal life Jesus demands from us all that we are and have. This is not to say that Grace or Salvation is earned, this can never be so. Unlike working out to build new 'Christian muscles' (which does happen as we grow spiritually by feeding on His Word) becoming a Christian is like a metamorphosis, the old self no longer existing and being made new, being Born again. The Bible refers to salvation as a death to self, and also as a new birth in Christ. So the process of becoming a Christian includes a sacrifice of ones self and the birth of a new creation.

The resurrection narratives in the four Gospels differ slightly in detail, but in all four the women become the first witnesses, and Mary Magdalene is explicitly named among them. One could argue against the validity of 4 'different' accounts, although this would be specious.

One could conversely argue that a contrived deception should have produced greater synthesis. However, the differences in accounts demonstrate that the Gospel writers were aware of a variety of independent traditions, and these divergent traditions overlap significantly thus providing more evidence that the account is true.

The women are told both by the angel and by Jesus to "not be afraid." Notice the difference between bravery (which is the overcoming of fear), and the absence of fear. These women had just had their rabbi publicly executed; the leaders of their nation the Priests, were against them; and the body of their rabbi, the Messiah who was to set them free was missing. These women had much to fear. Jesus did not ask them to be brave, he conquered death and instructed them to fear no more. Then, with their fear gone, and after seeing their risen Lord they rush off to tell the rest of His followers what they have seen.

Starkly contrasted to the belief and worship of the women, the Priests deny their Lord again. Upon hearing the true testimony of the guards who saw the angel and the empty tomb they do not react as the women did and worship the Lord. Rather they devise a plan to have this 'mixup' concealed. The priests realise there will be public outcry and a loss of status if the Jews hear that Jesus actually is the Messiah. So they worship self and try to hide the truth, and active denial of Jesus, what I believe to be the greiving of the Holy Spirit, and the unforgivable sin. If one knows the truth of Christ and denies it anyway.

Finally we have Jesus appearing to the disciples and the Great Commission. The Great Commission is not only telling the Gospel, which is that Jesus dies for sin, was buried and rose again, all according to scripture. Also true disciples of Christ are to help teach and equip those who hear the Gospel how to live according to Jesus' commands as well. Love Jesus with every fiber of our being, and love others as we love ourselves.