Text: Matthew 28:1-20
Theme: Go and Tell
Introduction:
According to Matthew, the first word that came out of the risen Lord Jesus Christ was “Greetings” -Live long, Liveforever (Mathew 28:9). According to John, the first word was, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” (John 20:15). According to Luke, the first word was “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”(Luke 24:17). According to mark, the first word was “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creations”(Mark 16:15).
The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ had appeared to the blessed eyes of Mary Magdalene. Her deep devotion to Jesus, her unquestionable love for his cause, her unimaginable courage in male-dominated cruel authorities had brought Jesus to her. Her dare and devotional personality allowed her to become a lady at excellence and distinction. She was interested in fulfilling all the last rites to the Lord whom she served without compromise. She was least bothered by her colloquies, disciples, and her religious and political leaders.
Therefore, Mary had the privilege to have the vision of Angels and the appearance and vision of Jesus Christ. She heard the voice of the resurrected Lord, Matthew and John recorded that Jesus spoke to her first by greeting her and comforting her with his glorious voice and Word (Matthew 28:9, John 20:15). Mary could quickly recognize the voice of Jesus Christ. She called Jesus as Rabbani, Rabbi, Guruji, and Savour and Lord. She was ready to do something for God. So entrusted to her the Message of Hope and made her a messenger to her Disciples.
Theological Turn: Until the Cross and Death of Jesus, all eyes have seen Jesus. But, henceforth, all cannot behold his glory. The honor, privilege, and the right of enjoying the presence of God, reserved only to those who are going to believe in Him and obey him. He has become completely God no more Jesus in Flesh.
1. Go quickly and tell his Disciples:
Jesus Has Risen (Matthew 28:1-7. a)Maundy Thursday and Good Friday brought fear, trembling, shame and discomfort, and disgrace to the Disciples of Jesus Christ. They lost all their hopes and joy. They misunderstood Jesus as Messiah and revolutionist. They had great faith that he would change the political systems and will bring religious reformation. They were looking for a free world – free from slavery, free from enemies, free from diseases, free from poverty. He could be their king and Lord forever. They had a belief that he would restore the Kingdom of David.
Their resignation was to escape from the situations they faced in their life. The fear of cruel death, fear of prosecution, fear of persecution lead them to resign from following Christ. Disciples who were with Christ have decided to withdraw from him, knowing that he could not save himself. They had a fix whether to continue with this leader who has no prospective prosperous future or to shift to a leader who could build a Kingdom against the existing Kingdoms. They ran away to escape from the crucifixion.
So Jesus told these women to go and tell my disciples I am alive. Nothing could stop him. All were held by death but not Jesus. Jesus has risen, and he has gone to Galilee. The death and resurrection took place at Jerusalem, but Christ has gone to Galilee. Disciples had followed him from Galilee, and they had trained in various parts of the country, even they traveled to foreign countries, neighboring countries with Jesus Christ. But now everything has become useless, meaningless, and they decided to return to Galilee.
2. Jesus is Going ahead of You (Mathew 28:7. b -10)
Jesus never sends anyone alone. He is Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. He promises that he goes ahead of all of us. The same Jesus led them to the way to Calvary, Golgotha (Mark 10:32). He had gone before Abraham (Genesis 12:1 & Acts 7:2), He had gone before Moses (Exodus 3:10-12, 33:12-15), He had gone before David (2 Samuel 5:19,24). He had gone before Paul, and he had gone before Peter.
Jesus is present everywhere to comfort us, console us, and grace all occasions of our lives. Remember how the Lord God led Israel in the desert these forty years (Deuteronomy 8:2). He had taught them like a mother bird to live on the earth (Deuteronomy 32:11-12). He led his people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron (Psalm 77:20).
Are you thinking and planning for your settlement? God takes you like Abraham to the unknown place but has a plan through you. He wants to bless the area where you are going to be. You need not think of a safe place, but wherever you are going to be is a safe place. Are you planning to revisit your old business, old friends, relatives? God is going before you to establish his name among them through you. They are going to receive you with a new look. You will be victorious among them like Moses.
God is going to establish your handiwork, business, your job, your position, and your authority as he did to David. Jesus would establish, and encourage you, he will be with you. He is going to be your Lord. God has given Peter and Paul new anointing and courage to preach the Gospel to whom they were afraid. Take heed, be cheerful and share the love and power of God.
3. Go and tell what you hear and see
Matthew 11:4-5: And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hears, and the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them (AMPC). Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them and teach them and obey every rule of the Bible, every command of Christ.
The new commission, the great commission is to go and tell everyone what you hear and see. What you heard through the Word of God?. What did you see in the lives of your Church members, fellow Christians? Talk about the grace you enjoy, the blessings you experience, the love you are shared with. The concern you have experienced from others. Everything is important in your life. Please don’t tell anyone, anything which you are not able to practice, which you are struggling with. Share the joy and victories with others.
“Walk the talk and talk the Walk”. Don’t share anything which is in rule form, in principle which you are not able to strive for, which you are not able to practice. Your friend, your neighbor, and your relatives and your co-traveler are least bothered and interested in what your scripture tells to you. They are bothered, interested in how you had implemented it. Personal testimony, personal character outlives all your words of the scripture to the person who is with you. Challenge is not how many verses we share with people but how it works in us in front of others.
The challenge is to go and disciple. It's not a simple preaching assignment. But the life-long commitment to Christ and his principles and show it through your life values, Characters, and words attested with deeds. I wish all of you to have a glorious Easter day with the resurrection words of Christ. God bless you.
