This is the chapter that sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. It’s also the chapter that gives every Christian the foundation for belief, and his/her “marching orders”. Read this chapter.
Every other religion in the world has one thing that Christianity does not. That’s right…they have something we don’t.
A cadaver.
If you look into the tomb of Mohammad, you will find him there. If you look into the tomb of Buddha, you will find the remains of Buddha. But when you look into the tomb of Jesus, you will find nothing….because He’s alive. He WAS dead, yes, of course. Roman soldiers skilled in the art of death don’t accidentally take someone off the cross alive. Such an error could cost them their own life. So, to be sure He was dead, they ran him through with a spear. He was dead…no question.
Before you decide to believe the story the priests publicized, (talk about “spin”!) consider this: let’s say that 4 or 5 disciples did sneak up and steal the body away. The soldiers would have to sleep through someone rolling a huge stone away from the door (that wouldn’t be quiet). And not just one soldier, but two. Falling asleep on guard duty is pretty bad, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but I wouldn’t call it restful sleep either. I think any noise at all would have awakened them. (actually, I don’t think they were sleeping). Then, these same disciples willingly go to their own deaths, without fear? What would be the basis for that confidence? I mean, if you know that you stole the body, how would you find the courage to face down death the way they did? And, what about the 500 people who saw him alive AFTER the burial? (Paul tells us this in 1 Cor 15:6). If you consider the story, the truth becomes easily visible. Jesus came back to life.
A risen Savior is what provides us with our foundation of belief. Because Jesus has conquered death, so will we. Because He was victorious, we will be also. His death provided us with forgiveness, His resurrection provided us with hope, and His ascension into heaven provided us with power. Jesus Christ is the truth, and nothing can prevent the truth from being revealed. The truth will always win out in the end. False religions may confuse and obscure for a period of time, but they cannot complete the task. In the end, they will be proved false, and Jesus will be proven true.
And the marching orders: Make disciples. Baptize and teach them to obey “everything I have commanded you”.
If the focus is placed on the wrong word, it changes the spirit of the message. Some have focused on baptism…nothing wrong with baptism, but I don’t think it’s the primary word. “Make disciples” is the primary. And “obey” is the second. It’s really very simple, “Disciples obey”. That’s what a disciple does…they follow the leader, doing what the leader did, and helping others to do what the leader did. They don’t try to recreate or add to it, they simple pass along what they have learned from the leader. Baptism and teaching are methods of ensuring that the new identity sticks.
Final thoughts: two women were the first to see Jesus alive. That is an enormous honor, and certainly didn’t happen by accident or coincidence. Jesus planned that. I think it was one way that Jesus could say to the people of that day “women have equal share in the ministry”. Telling people that “Jesus is alive” is the highest honor a disciple can have… and these women were the first two that ever shared that news. That’s something to think about.
Secondly, we don’t want to leave this chapter without meditating on the last verse. “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Jesus rose and ascended, but He didn’t leave us. This is yet another beauty of true faith. Our creator loves us and lives with us. IN us, if you can imagine such a thing. Incredible. Inspiring. Life giving. Good chapter.
soaking,
PR