An Easter Message
According to Matthew’s account, the Disciples never made it to the empty tomb on
Sunday morning. The disciples of Jesus truly believed that Jesus was dead.
Have you ever read the story of Jesus’ resurrection and been angry, frustrated, or
confused about why Jesus’ disciples were missing at the empty tomb?
Let’s pivot and talk about Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb. We are
quick to praise them for showing up at the tomb, but in reality, they also believed Jesus
was dead. Based on other Gospel accounts, we assume the women went to the tomb to
“finish” the burial. Matthew doesn’t mention the reason for their visit, but there is no hint
that they expected to see their risen Savior.
Let’s pivot and talk about Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb. We are
quick to praise them for showing up at the tomb, but in reality, they also believed Jesus
was dead. Based on other Gospel accounts, we assume the women went to the tomb to
“finish” the burial. Matthew doesn’t mention the reason for their visit, but there is no hint
that they expected to see their risen Savior.
Truth be told, neither the disciples nor the women believed Jesus had been raised from
the dead. The hard truth is that the disciples didn’t show up at the tomb and remained in
Jerusalem because they evidently didn’t remember Jesus’ instructions in Matthew
26:32.
Immediately following the installation of the first Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29),
Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30).
Next, in Matthew 26:31-32, Jesus said,
“You will all fall away because of Me this night,
for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE
FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you
to Galilee.”
Jesus just told His men they would fall away from Him. Jesus also said He would be
raised from the dead and would then meet them in Galilee.
Surely, they heard Jesus’ words. Some of His words didn’t connect with them.
We know Jesus’ words in verse 31 connected with Peter because Peter spent Matthew
26:33-35 discussing his commitment to Jesus. Peter said, “I will never fall away.” Then
Jesus said,
“Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny
me three times.”
What about Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:32? This is one of the most important verses in
the Bible, yet His disciples act as if Jesus never said these words.
He told His disciples two things:
- “But after I have been raised,”
Is it too much to ask for the disciples to remember the greatest news of all time?
If they had faith in Jesus’ words, it would have saved them so much grief.
All they had to do was listen.
- “I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
Jesus gave them specific instructions to meet Him in Galilee, yet they remained in
Jerusalem. Why did the men stay in Jerusalem and not travel to Galilee?
Why Galilee? Part 1
- Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth, is located in Galilee.
- Galilee was the home region for many of Jesus’ disciples.
- Galilee is a region in Israel, 80 miles north of Jerusalem.
- Jesus started His ministry and performed many miracles in Galilee.
We need to give the disciples a break. They were tired and exhausted, given the
number of stressful events that occurred between Matthew 26:32 (Thursday night) and
Matthew 28:10 (Sunday morning). Let’s take a look.
Matthew 26:36-46-The Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:47-56-Jesus’ betrayal and arrest.
Matthew 26:57-68-Jesus before Caiaphas being abused.
Matthew 26:69-75-Peter denies Jesus three times.
Matthew 27:1-10-Judas’s Remorse
Matthew 27:11-26-Jesus before Pilate. Barabbas is released.
Matthew 27:27-32-Jesus is mocked
Matthew 27:33-56-Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
Matthew 27:57-66-Jesus is Buried
What were the men doing between the grave and the empty tomb? For self-
preservation, they must have hidden in the shadows.
Based on Matthew 26:32, let me ask one question? Why were the disciples still in
Jerusalem? Jesus told them to meet Him in Galilee.
Why were they still in Jerusalem?
There are two possible answers to my question. First, they didn’t remember His words
in Matthew 26:32. They needed to hide until the story of the empty tomb faded. Second,
if they remembered His words, they didn’t believe He was alive to meet them there.
Let’s move to Matthew 28:1-10 and the Resurrection. While reading this story in
preparation for an Easter Sunday sermon, I noticed something interesting I hadn’t
before.
I noticed four phrases repeated twice in these ten verses.
- “Do not be afraid.”
- The angel told the women at the tomb, “Do not be afraid.” V. 5
- Jesus told the women at the tomb, “Do not be afraid.” V. 10
- “He has risen.”
- The angel told the women at the tomb, “He has risen.” V. 6
- The angel told the women to tell the disciples, “He has risen.” V. 7
- “Go to Galilee.”
- The angel told the women to tell Jesus’ disciples to “Go to Galilee.” V. 7
- Jesus told the women to tell His disciples to “Go to Galilee.” V. 10
- “You will see Jesus.”
- The angel told the women to tell Jesus’ disciples, “You will see Jesus.” V. 7
- Jesus told the women to tell His disciples, “They will see Me.” V. 10
These four phrases needed to be repeated to help Jesus’ followers know not to be
afraid, because He is alive. “Go to Galilee, and you will see Me.” The angel of the Lord
and Lord Jesus knew where the disciples were, and their words to the women set them
on track to reach Galilee.
Why Galilee? Part 2
What did Jesus want them to do in Galilee? It’s simple. They need more instructions.
History shows that the disciples listened to these instructions.
Matthew 28:16 says, “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain
which Jesus had designated.” We now know Jesus’ followers were going to Galilee.
Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus told them
these things.
Authority had been given to Me.
Go and make disciples of all the nations.
Baptize them
Teach them
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
What about us? Will we listen to Jesus and obey His instructions?
Regards,
Terry
