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.  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. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 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.”

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. (Matthew 28:1-8 NKJV)

MATTHEW 28 IN ITS ENTIRETY.

Thought For The Week: In the foregoing chapters, we saw the Captain of our salvation engaged with the powers of darkness, attacked by them, and vigorously attacking them; victory seemed to hover between the combatants; nay, at length, it inclined to the enemies’ side, and our Champion fell before them; behold, God has delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies’ hand. Christ in the grave is like the ark in Dagon’s temple; the powers of darkness seemed to ride masters, but then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine, Ps. 78:61, 65. The prince of our peace is in this chapter rallying again, coming out of the grave, a Conqueror, yea, more than a conqueror, leading captivity captive; though the ark be a prisoner, Dagon falls before it, and it proves that none is able to stand before the holy Lord God. Now the resurrection of Christ being one of the main foundations of our religion, it is requisite that we should have infallible proofs of it; four of which proofs we have in this chapter, which are but a few of many, for Luke and John give a larger account of the proofs of Christ’s resurrection than Matthew and Mark do. Here is, I. The testimony of the angel to Christ’s resurrection, Matt. 28:1-8. II. His appearance himself to the women, Matt. 28:9, 10. III. The confession of the adversaries that were upon the guard, Matt. 28:11-15. IV. Christ’s appearance to the disciples in Galilee, and the commission he gave them, Matt. 28:16-20.

Prayer: Dear Lord, on this glorious Easter, thank You for carrying the cross I never could carry. By Your stripes I am healed. By Your love I am forgiven. By Your sacrifice I am redeemed. By Your grace I am saved. By Your guidance I am found. In Your mercy I find strength. In Your light I find clarity. In Your word I find the way. I love you Jesus. May all the glory go to you my risen Savior, my King, my eternal love. In Your mighty name I pray. Amen.

Thought of the week from Matt. Henry Commentary.