AM Feb 11th Matt 28

February 11^th     Matthew 28        

G. The Power of the King           Christ is risen

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. 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. 3: His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5: And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6: He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 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. 8: And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 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. 10: Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 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. 12: And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13: Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14: And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15: So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Christ’s great commission

16: Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17: And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

On the dawn of the Sunday morning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb. An earthquake shook the ground because an angel of the Lord came a rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb. The question of who moved the stone is a very interesting question. The Guards were there to prevent the stone from being moved. They were terrified and ran away. The disciples had no opportunity and they had no motive as they were not expecting Christ to rise. The women came with anointing materials to complete the burial process. Yet the stone was moved away! If one can concede that angels moved the stone then one can concede that Christ rose from the dead. The angel spoke to the women saying why do you seek the living among the dead?  Come see the place where the Lord lay. Then the angels told them to go and tell the disciples that Christ was risen. When they were on their way Christ met them and greeted them they worshipped him holding his feet. The guards were paid a very large sum of money to say that the disciples stole the body while they slept. (How did they know what had happened if they were asleep. The Disciples went into Galilee where they saw Christ again. Then Christ commissioned them to carry on the work that he had begun i.e. the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Christ promised his presence right on till the end of the age.