MATTHEW LESSON 60

     We will begin this lesson in Matthew 28:1 "In the end of the
sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."

     The women were the last of Jesus' followers at the cross, and as
we see here, the first at the grave. It appears that these two Marys
came to the tomb early Sunday morning. The Jews would call this day
firstfruits; the Christians would come to know it as Easter. At any
rate, this is Resurrection Day. These two women, probably, were not
aware that the sepulchre had been sealed. Their love and devotion to
Jesus had brought them.

     Matthew 28:2 "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the
angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the
stone from the door, and sat upon it."

     This is an interesting statement. Jesus would not need the stone
removed for Him to come out, but Mary and Mary Magdalene would need it
moved for them to go in. The soldier guards needed a sign, as well.

     This "earthquake" would certainly awaken them. Earthquakes,
throughout the Bible are God dealing with man.

     This "angel" sitting on the rock had to be quite a sight to see
in itself.

     Matthew 28:3 "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment
white as snow:" Matthew 28:4 "And for fear of him the keepers did
shake, and became as dead [men]."

     This angel had to be of great authority. He was, probably, the
personal angel of Jesus, since he had such a bright countenance. Jesus
is the Light. Those in close contact with Him would have this
brightness, as Moses' head had shone when he came down the mountain.

     People, who have seen angels in visions, say that they are
enormous. This one moved this huge stone by himself, so he must have
been very large.

     This white garment meant holiness and righteousness. The saints
in Revelation are robed in white, Because they have been washed in the
blood of the Lamb. This frightened the keepers so much they shook and
fainted.

     Matthew 28:5 "And the angel answered and said unto the women,
Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified."

     The Scripture did not say that the women were afraid. The angel
comforted them just the same.

     Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come,
see the place where the Lord lay."  Matthew 28:7 "And go quickly, and
tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he
goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told
you."

     These women found out first about Jesus, because they were there.
they cared for the Lord whether living or dead. The eleven disciples
were not told first, because they had gone back to their old way of
life. Some, as we will find out later, had stopped fishing for men and
had gone back to fishing for fish. I guess you could really say that
these two Marys were ministers obeying the commission to go and tell.
Notice also, that they were not just to tell the women they found, but
to go and seek out the disciples and tell them.  The message they were
to tell is still the same today, HE IS RISEN. He had promised to go to
Galilee, and that was where they would find Him.

     Matthew 28:8 "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with
fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word."

     Male or female, young or old, white or black, the only answer God
wants to hear, when He says go and tell, is "Here am I Lord, send me".
This was what these women did. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
These women feared God and all the time were filled with great joy. They
did not just go at their own convenience and dally around, they ran.
Be on fire for God. Do what He wants you to do, and do it NOW.

     Matthew 28:9  "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold,
Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the
feet, and worshipped him."

     There was no question now. This was their Lord. They humbled
themselves and bowed down to Him in reverence. These women had pure
hearts, and that allows us to see God. In this instance, He is the Risen
Christ, God the Son, Messiah, Lord of Lords. Seek and ye shall find.
They had found their master. Their sorrow had been turned into joy.

     Matthew 28:10 "Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell
my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."

     Jesus called them "brethren" to reassure them that, in spite of
their fear and abandonment of Him at the cross, He still loved them.
He sent them word, so that they would know what He prophesied had
happened. He was alive. He said, Meet me in Galilee, and I will show
you. Some of the other books of the Bible have additional information
on this, but we will wait until we get to that book to discuss it. The
scene changed in the next verse to the watchmen who had apparently
finally awakened.

     Matthew 28:11  "Now when they were going, behold, some of the
watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the
things that were done. "  Matthew 28:12 "And when they were assembled
with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the
soldiers,"  Matthew 28:13 "Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by
night, and stole him [away] while we slept." Matthew 28:14 "And if
this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure
you."  Matthew 28:15 "So they took the money, and did as they were
taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this
day."

     These religious people knew if they got back to the governor,
that they would be in serious danger. He had not wanted to kill Jesus
from the beginning. How in the world they got these people to lie, I
do not know. I guess money was more important to them than their
souls.  These high priests, scribes, and pharisees should have been on
their knees repenting, because they knew that they had been wrong.
They wanted earthly power enough to trade their souls for it. Jews sent
people everywhere scattering this lie, and it is still believed by
most of them, even today.

     Matthew 28:16  "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee,
into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them." Matthew 28:17 "And
when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted."

     The women's message from Jesus to them had been heeded. They met
Jesus on a mountain in Galilee of Jesus' choosing. They worshipped
Him. The "some" that doubted was, probably, Thomas, who is told of in
another book. There were, probably, more than just the eleven here, but
they were mentioned specifically because of their following
instructions to meet Him.

     Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."  Matthew 28:19  "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"  Matthew 28:20
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen."

     Jesus explained, here, that all power was given unto Him. The next
statement is the Great Commission given to all who believe in Jesus
and especially those called to minister. Jesus not only told us
to teach, but what to teach and what to do when someone gets saved.
The baptism of salvation is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost. The baptism of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus alone. He
not only said to teach what He taught, but He promised to be with us
as we teach. He specifically said to teach the things He commanded us.
He didn't say to twist it around to fit our views. Just give them the
pure Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is powerful unto salvation.

     Thank you for your time and patience. I hope you have enjoyed
this half as much as I enjoyed writing it,

                                      Your friend in Christ



                                      Louise Haney





                         Matthew 60 Questions

1.  When did Mary and Mary Magdalene come back to the tomb?
2.  Who were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb?
3.  What did the Jews call the day we call Easter?
4.  What has brought them to the tomb?
5.  What natural phenomenon happened?
6.  Who rolled back the stone?
7.  Who did he roll the stone back for?
8.  Describe the angel?
9.  What happened to the guards when they saw the angel?
10. What did the angel say to the women?
11. Where was Jesus?
12. Where were the women to tell the disciples to meet Jesus?
13. Where were the disciples?
14. What message were these women to tell? (three words)
15. How did they go?
16. What is the only answer God wants, when He calls us to minister?
17. What is the beginning of wisdom?
18. What did the women do when they saw Jesus?
19. Their sorrow was turned into ________.
20. What did Jesus call the disciples?
21. What did this indicate about His feelings toward them?
22. Who did the watch soldiers go to, to report?
23. What did they tell them to do?
24. How did they get them to do it?
25. Why did they not want the governor to know?
26. How long did this lie continue to be told?
27. Where did Jesus meet the disciples in Galilee?
28. What did they do when they saw Him?
29. Were there any exceptions?
30. What did Jesus say to them?
31. What is this called?
32. How were they to baptize, in whose name?
33. The Word of the Lord is powerful unto_________.