Reflection from my reading in Matthew 28 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Above is a picture of my visit to the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem (a tomb similar to the one Jesus was buried in). The resurrection is perhaps the most important doctrine of the Christian faith; in this article I’ll share 3 reasons you can trust the resurrection.

1. Women We’re the First Eyewitnesses

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb…⁹ And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:1, 9

Women were not as well respected or trusted as men in that culture. If Matthew was making the story up in order to appeal to the Jewish audience he would have written the story with an important man as the first eyewitness.

Instead, Matthew told us what really happened. He first appeared to women and trusted them to send the message of his resurrection!

2. Even His Enemies Acknowledged He Wasn’t In The The Tomb

“Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ” Matthew 28:13

This shows us that even among non-believers there was no sign of the body! Jesus was gone and that was no question.

In an attempt to cover up Jesus’ resurrection, the religious leaders actually provide us with further evidence that he indeed was not in the tomb! In order to silence the disciples and followers, all they would have had to do was show the dead body, but no body has been found because HE IS RISEN!

3. The Great Commitment of The Apostles and the Church To The Great Commission

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20

All eleven of Jesus’ disciples went from fearfully hiding to boldly proclaiming the good news after Jesus appeared to them and the Holy Spirit empowered them. Jesus gave the eleven and, through them, the entire church a mission to “make disciples of all nations.”

Ten out of the eleven disciples died seeking to fulfill this commission. Think about this…

Who do you know who would die for what they know to be lie?

The disciples were willing to die because they knew that Jesus had risen from the dead. They saw him with their own eyes.

The other proof that Jesus is alive is that the church has been fulfilling this great commission ever since. We haven’t done it perfectly but people all over the world worship Jesus as God because Jesus has kept his promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The fact that the church is still growing and thriving in many parts of the world is a testimony that Jesus is alive and helping us fulfill his great commission.

Jesus really did rise from the dead. If you believe that then you have two options….

1. You decide to give your life to Jesus and play your role in the great commission.

2. You can waste your life.

The choice is yours.

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