Resurrection, Commission, and Review - Matthew in Twelve Weeks
A Bible Study Covering Chapter 28 of the Gospel of Matthew - Leader Guide and Handout
As we reach the culmination of Matthew's gospel, we encounter the transformative reality of Christ's resurrection and receive His final commission to the Church. This closing chapter brings the themes we've explored throughout Matthew full circle: Jesus' divine identity, His fulfillment of prophecy, the nature of true discipleship, and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ divine resurrection firmly establishes everything He taught and promised while demonstrating the present reality of Christians’ future salvation.
Victory Over Death (Matthew 28:1-10)
Ask a study participant to read Matthew 28:1-10. Consider how this account connects with Jesus' earlier predictions of His resurrection and what it reveals about God.
The resurrection account stands as the ultimate vindication of Jesus' identity and mission, bringing to fruition everything He had foretold throughout His ministry. The angel’s proclamation of "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said" (28:6) serves as the divine seal on all of Jesus' teachings and promises. From His predictions of death and resurrection (16:21, 17:22-23, 20:18-19) to His teaching about the sign of Jonah (12:39-40) and His promise to rebuild the temple in three days (26:61), every word finds its fulfillment in this momentous event—the conquering of death itself. The resurrection validates Jesus' authority over nature, illness, and even death, conclusively demonstrating His identity and authority as the Son of God and the truthfulness of His transcendent message.
The details that Matthew so carefully includes in this account create notable connections with earlier moments in his gospel. The earthquake that accompanies the resurrection mirrors the cosmic signs at Jesus' death (27:51-54), while the angel's appearance is reminiscent of the divine messengers who appeared at His birth (1:20-23). When the women encounter the risen Christ, their response of worship echoes earlier examples of true faith, from the that of the Magi (2:11) to that of the disciples in the boat when Jesus calmed the sea (14:33). Jesus' gentle greeting, "Do not be afraid," continues His consistent message of peace and love to those who trust Him, transforming their terror into joy. This transformation from fear to joy serves as a model for all believers who encounter the living Christ, showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel, which is given freely to a fallen and sinful world.
The Guards' Report (Matthew 28:11-15)
Have participants read Matthew 28:11-15. Discuss how this account illustrates the ongoing tension between earthly authority and divine truth that we've seen throughout Matthew.
In this brief account of the guards' false report, Matthew provides a final illustration of the persistent worldly opposition to God-given truth that has characterized his gospel narrative. The religious leaders' response to the resurrection represents the culmination of their consistent rejection of divine evidence, even when confronted with the ultimate miracle. Indeed, their attempt to suppress the truth through bribery echoes Judas's betrayal, demonstrating again how the power of money can corrupt and blind people to God’s reality. However, as demonstrated throughout Matthew's gospel, human attempts to thwart God's purposes ultimately prove futile. The resurrection is truly the ultimate demonstration of this; even the very fundamental, earthly reality of death is overcome by the power of God as revealed in Jesus.
This passage serves as Matthew's final contrast between the kingdom of heaven and the ways of man. While the women respond to the empty tomb with worship and obedient proclamation, the religious authorities respond with deception and manipulation. This juxtaposition emphasizes a central theme of Matthew's gospel: the stark difference between those who seek truth and those who resist it. The false story about the disciples stealing Jesus' body, still circulating when Matthew wrote his gospel, stands as a testament to humanity's sin-driven proclivity to deny divine truth when it threatens earthly power and position.
The Kingdom Mission (Matthew 28:16-20)
Ask participants to read Matthew 28:16-20. Guide discussion toward understanding how this final charge encapsulates major themes from throughout Matthew's gospel.
The Great Commission serves as both the culmination of Matthew's gospel and the launching point for the Church's ongoing mission. It is critical to recognize that, although Matthew’s story is complete, God’s redemptive mission in the world will continue to be carried out by His followers. With the enduring example of Christ, Christians now have truly Good News to proclaim to the world.
Jesus' declaration of "all authority in heaven and on earth" connects directly to His demonstrations of authority throughout Matthew's narrative – His power over disease and nature (chapters 8-9), His authority over sin and tradition (chapter 12), and ultimately His victory over death itself. This comprehensive authority establishes the foundation for the Church's mission, grounding our work in Christ's sovereign power rather than human effort.
While the Great Commission contains the most memorable teaching on discipleship, the command to make disciples echoes and fulfills numerous themes woven throughout Matthew's gospel. Jesus' emphasis on teaching is reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) and His consistent pattern of explaining truth through parables and patient instruction. The call to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit establishes a trinitarian framework that has been gradually revealed throughout Matthew's narrative, from Jesus' baptism to His teachings about His relationship with the Father. Perhaps most powerfully, Jesus' promise to be with His people always echoes both His identity as Immanuel – "God with us" (1:23) – and His earlier promise about His presence among gathered believers (18:20). This assurance of Christ's continuing presence transforms the Great Commission from an overwhelming burden into a collaborative partnership with the risen Lord. The Church is not left to fend for itself but is given the Spirit of Christ to carry on as the very body of Christ.
Looking Back: Themes and Teachings Throughout Matthew's Gospel
In our journey through Matthew's gospel, we've witnessed how the evangelist carefully constructed his narrative to reveal Jesus as both the promised Messiah and the inaugurator of God's kingdom. From the carefully crafted genealogy (1:1-17) through the nativity narrative (1:18-2:23), Matthew established Jesus' credentials as the heir to David's throne while pointing to His surprisingly universal mission. The early chapters showed how Jesus fulfilled Israel's story – going down to Egypt (2:13-15), passing through the waters (3:13-17), being tested in the wilderness (4:1-11) – even as He prepared to launch a ministry that would extend God's blessings to all nations. These parallels to the story of the Israelites in the Old Testament provide firm support of his Messianic status.
The heart of Matthew's gospel presents Jesus' comprehensive revelation of the kingdom of heaven, centered on the paradigm-establishing Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). Here and throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated how He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (5:17-20), calling His followers to a righteousness that exceeds external compliance. Through miracles that displayed His authority over nature, illness, and death (chapters 8-9), teachings that challenged religious traditions (chapters 12, 15), and parables that revealed the mysteries of the kingdom (chapter 13), Jesus showed how God's sovereignty and love breaks into our world in unexpected ways, revealing the true nature of the kingdom of heaven. The increasing opposition from religious leaders served to highlight the radical, nontraditional nature of Jesus' message, culminating in the dramatic confrontations in Jerusalem (chapters 21-23).
Finally, the passion narrative (chapters 26-27) revealed how Jesus' death, far from being a defeat, represented the ultimate expression of God's divinity breaking into our world through sacrificial love, overcoming every conceivable worldly power. Now, with the resurrection account and Great Commission, Matthew brings his gospel to a fitting conclusion that points forward to the continuing work of Christ through His Church. The authority that Jesus demonstrated throughout His ministry is now given to His disciples as they continue His mission of making disciples of all nations (28:18-20). In this way, Matthew's gospel serves not only as a testimony to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection but also as a guide for how the Church should embody Christ and proclaim the kingdom of heaven in every generation.
Conversation Starters
How does the resurrection affect our reading of everything else in Matthew's gospel?
Looking back through Matthew, how have we seen Jesus prepare His disciples for their mission? What implications does this have for how we disciple others?
What aspects of Jesus' character and teaching from throughout Matthew's gospel give you confidence in His promise to be with us always?
How does Matthew's conclusion challenge and inform the way you view the Church's mission?
Reflecting on our entire study of Matthew, what has most impacted your understanding of Jesus' identity and mission, the nature of discipleship, and the Kingdom of Heaven?
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