Day 28 – Friday, February 7, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Matthew 28

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

The Empty Tomb

Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–11

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ² And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. ³ His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴ And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.⁵ But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who 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 indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”⁸ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:1–8.

Points to Ponder:

• After all the traumatic events of the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
• When they arrived, an earthquake occurred, and an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone and sat on it. He appeared as bright as lightning, and he had cloths as white as snow. The guards shook and passed out from the sight.
• The angel told the women not to fear. Jesus was risen! He even showed them the place where He was laid. He was no longer there!
• He then told them to go tell the disciples that He was risen and that He would meet them in Galilee.
• They ran out of the tomb and to tell the disciples the good news.

The Appearance of Jesus to the Women

⁹ And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:9–10.

Points to Ponder:

• As they went, though, Jesus met them and told them to rejoice.
• They came and held Him at His feet and worshipped Him.
• He also told them not to be afraid and to go tell the brethren to go to Galilee.

The Bribery of the Soldiers

¹¹ Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. ¹² When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, ¹³ saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ ¹⁴ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:11–15.

Points to Ponder:

• The soldiers who were guarding the tomb came to tell the chief priests what had happened.
• They met with the elders and decided to give the guards a large sum of money to keep this story to themselves and say that Jesus’ body was stolen by His disciples.
• They promised to protect them with the governor should He be angry.

The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:16–17.

Points to Ponder:

• When the disciples got to the mountain in Galilee, they found Jesus there.
• They worshipped Him, but some still doubted.

The Great Commission

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:18–20.

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus told them about the authority He had been given.
• He then commissioned them to go and make disciples of all the nations. They were to baptize believers, and teach them all that He had commanded.
• He then promised to be with them until the end of the age.
• Lord, help us to know that we are also your disciples, and that we must go and make disciples.
• Your coming is soon! Inspire and anoint us to raise up souls for your kingdom.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page.