Matthew XXVIII

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

This section vividly represents: — 1. The Cross as the object of universal attention. “The centurion and they that were with him;” “many women were there;” “all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee” (Luke xxiii. 49); and from the previous verses we learn that multitudes of approving observers were present at the crucifixion. This circumstance suggests an enquiry into the relation of the Cross to all classes of men: — 1. To the impenitent sinner it represents the most desperate attempt to destroy a spiritual tormentor. Impenitence or rebellion cannot go farther: the resources of depravity are exhausted! “There,” says wickedness, “is my last stroke; if that fail, I cannot do more.” 2. To the speculative student it represents a great mystery in Divine government. Why should this just and humane Teacher be delivered over to the will of an implacable enemy? Is this fate worthy of the Man who has said so many deep and pathetic things about God? 3. To a sorrowing heart it represesents the sublimest method of suffering. Not one evil word; no attempt at vengeance; a committal of the spirit into the hands of the Father. 4. To an accusing conscience a solution of the problem of pardon. How can God be just, and the justifier of the ungodly?

This section vividly represents: — 1. The tomb as the

CENTRE OF THE MOST CONFLICTING INTEREST. We find

at the tomb, Joseph of Arimathaea, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary; the chief priests and Pharisees; and the angel of the Lord whose “countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” Looking at all the interest which was manifested in Christ’s tomb we draw several lessons: —

I. The possibility of doing more for the dead body than for the living man. It is not necessary to undervalue the reverence which Joseph displayed, in order to feel the force of this doctrine. The doctrine is illustrated every day: building the sepulchres of the prophets; allowing a man to live in poverty, and then building him a splendid monument, &c. A course of neglect cannot be repaired by a course of expensive and pompous mourning.

II. The danger of tarrying at the tomb instead of following the example. The women were sitting over against the sepulchre; the feeling was proper, still it points towards a danger. The tombs of the mighty dead should be as starting points for the earnest living. Plant a flower upon the borrowed grave, but never forget to follow the example of the holy life.

III. The impotence of evil-minded men in reference to the resurrection. They “made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” We have seen the power of those men, now see their weakness. God is often marking very distinctly the limitations of depravity.

IV. The magnificent announcement which will eventually be made at every Christian ’s grave — “He is not here, — he is risen.”

5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: Lo, I have told you.

8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

The angels had no message of comfort to “the keepers,” but to “the women” they said, “Fear not ye;” looking to the dismayed men on the one hand, and to the reassured women on the other, we may see the different results of moral relations. There is: — 1. Fear; this fear will come upon the bad man (a) suddenly; (b) irresistibly; (c) from unexpected sources; (d) publicly, to his open shame and confusion. There is: — 2. Faith; there are three noticeable things about the Christian’s faith in Jesus Christ: (a) it points towards a higher condition of life; its look is not downward, but upward; (b) it is in direct opposition to all malevolence, whether satanic or human, — its tone is benevolent; (c) its development and realisation are assisted by the highest celestial powers, — “are they not all ministering spirits?”

The women who carried the intelligence of the resurrection to the disciples were really the first preachers of the Gospel. The resurrection is the fundamental, the all necessary fact of the Christian system, — “if Christ be not risen from the dead then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

Looking at the account of the resurrection, generally, we find the following points: —

I. It disproved the prognostications of Jesus Christ’s enemies.

II. It gave great reality to His offers of life.

III. It illustrated His sovereignty over the laws of nature.

IV. It revealed the depth of His interest in human salvation. Collecting into one view the trial, death, and resurrection

of Christ, they present a picture of the course and issue of Christian truth: —

I. It has been promoted to a fictitious royalty. Jesus Christ was clothed in a purple robe; his tormentors put a sceptre in His hand, and bowed the knee, saying, Hail, King of the Jews. So with the truth; it is possible to clothe it with the purple robe of mere profession; to put in its hand the sceptre of financial support, and to render to it a hypocritical homage.

II. It has been abandoned when allegiance became perilous. “All the disciples forsook him and fled,” — so with truth in the trying hour.

III. Every interruptive expedient has been adopted. Stone; guard; seal. The adoption of such expedients shews (a) man’s latent belief in the great truths of Christianity; and (b) man’s awful dread of awakening a slumbering conscience. He rolls a great stone, sets a watch, &c.

IV. Homage has been developed where least expected. Nicodemus; Joseph. So in ancient times, the seven thousand of whom Elijah had not heard.

9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

I. The resurrection puts an end to all fear, — “be not afraid.” 2. The resurrection is the completion of the Gospel, — “go tell,” &c. 3. The resurrection renews and brightens human relationships, — “go tell my brethren.” (Rom. viii. 29; Ps. xxii. 22; Heb. ii. 11.)

ii. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

I. A picture of the ultimate confusion of the enemies of truth; 2. The corrupt spirit of defeated bigotry; 3. The miserable subterfuges of uncandid opposition; 4, The degrading influence of bad associations, — “so they took the money and did as they were taught.”

16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This section may be regarded as shewing the spirit in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 1. It might have been a spirit of retribution; 2. It might have been a spirit of contemptuous defiance; 3. Instead of this it was a spirit of profound and universal benevolence, — “go ye therefore and teach all nations.”

Looking at the evangelical commission, simply as such, we are here taught: — 1. That it is founded upon the personal power of Jesus Christ, — “all power is given unto me in heaven and on earth;” 2. That it includes the widest earthly scope, — “and teach all nations;” 3. That it is associated with the highest mystery of the moral universe, — “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;” 4. That its doctrine is exclusively and unchangeably Christian, — “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;” 5. That its execution is ennobled and sanctified by the personal presence of Jesus Christ, — “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

The practical point is — The spirit which was found in Jesus Christ after He rose from the dead will be found in every man who has undergone spiritual resurrection, — whoever rises with Christ will desire to evangelise the nations.