Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Matthew 28 and Psalm 28

And then, at dawn on the Sunday after His horrifying death, the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God. The moment of the resurrection is never described in the Gospels, because it happened ‘behind closed doors’ in the sealed tomb. There were no human witnesses to that moment. One can only imagine that the shockwaves of the violent earthquake felt all across Jerusalem that morning came rippling outwards from an epicentre in the tomb, as the life-giving power of God entered the dead body of Jesus.

Also rippling outwards from the tomb in ever-expanding waves came the Good News message of His resurrection and victory over death. First the angel was sent from heaven (v.2) to go and tell the women the news and to give them instructions (v.5). Then the women were sent to go and tell the disciples the news and to give them instructions: first by the angel (v.7) and then by the risen Jesus Himself (v.10). Then the disciples were sent by Jesus with these iconic words:

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

And finally, through Jesus’ instruction that those who would be baptised in His name should be taught to obey everything He had commanded the disciples, we are also sent by Jesus to go and tell others that He is alive, to lead them to trust Him as His disciples, and to pass on His teaching to them.

The one central message of Matthew 28 is this: Jesus is risen from the dead and is alive forever! Now GO and tell others!

Life application: Find someone today with whom you can share this plain and simple message: ‘Jesus is alive, and He will give you life too, if only you will open your life up to Him.’ Just go … just do it.