Matthew 28:11-20 … The Gospel of Matthew uniquely presents Jesus as God’s King and the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. As we’ve seen so many times throughout the book, the religious rulers were intensely prideful, jealous, and self- serving. More than that, they were criminal conspirators in arranging the crucifixion of Jesus just to get Him out of the way. Their diabolical conspiracies continue right up to the end; amazingly, they were aiming to pay soldiers to spread a fabricated story to mask the fact of the resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15). Despite their attempted cover up, they could not refute the repeated visits by Christ to His disciples on at least 10 occasions. He also appeared to over 500 people at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The final chapter of Matthew ends in verses 16-20, which tell of Jesus meeting with his disciples in Galilee, just as He said He would. Does it surprise you that “some were doubtful” (v.17)? It shouldn’t! Can you imagine the scene? These disciples really didn’t understand when He told them He would be crucified and put to death. And then, after His burial and resurrection, He appeared with them on a Galilean hillside. To say they were incredulous is probably an understatement. In due time, as the other Gospels record, He convincingly proved His resurrected humanity to them. For example, doubting Thomas himself proclaimed, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28). The reality of the resurrection should penetrate our inner consciousness. It’s a transforming reality that should shape our thoughts and priorities for a lifetime. The last two verses are the well- known Great Commission, which commands disciples to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Jesus assured them that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age. Believers throughout the world hold that commissioning, mission, and promise as a sacred trust, as is necessary and fitting.
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