Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 57
M atthew 2 8 / Page 1243
been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a
great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
The Guard at the Tomb
62
The next day, on the Sabbath,* the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.
63
They told him, “Sir, we remember what that
deceiver once said while he was still alive:
‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’
64
So we request that you seal the tomb until
the third day. This will prevent his disciples
from coming and stealing his body and then
telling everyone he was raised from the dead!
If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we
were at first.”
65
Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it
the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb
and posted guards to protect it.
CHAPTER 28
The Resurrection
Early on Sunday morning,* as the new day
was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2
Suddenly there was a great earthquake!
For an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3
His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook
with fear when they saw him, and they fell
into a dead faint.
5
Then the angel spoke to the women.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t
here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said
would happen. Come, see where his body
was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his
disciples that he has risen from the dead, and
he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will
see him there. Remember what I have told
you.”
8
The women ran quickly from the tomb.
They were very frightened but also filled with
great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went,
Jesus met them and greeted them. And they
ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped
him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be
afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Gali
lee, and they will see me there.”
The Report of the Guard
11
As the women were on their way, some of
the guards went into the city and told the
leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They
told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were
sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the
governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for
you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the
guards accepted the bribe and said what they
were told to say. Their story spread widely
among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
The Great Commission
16
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee,
going to the mountain where Jesus had told
them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have
been given all authority in heaven and on
earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of
all the nations,* baptizing them in the name
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20
Teach these new disciples to obey all the
commands I have given you. And be sure of
this: I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.”
7:62 Or On the next day, which is after the Preparation.
2
28:1 Greek After the Sabbath, on the first day of the week.
28:19 Or all peoples.
27:62–28:15 The religious leaders went to a lot of trouble to be free of Jesus’ message. They discredited him in front of the crowds and plotted his murder. When they caught him, they tried to
come up with witnesses and had to convince Rome that Jesus should be killed. After Jesus’ death,
the leaders feared he would come back to life, so they sealed and guarded the tomb. Finally, they
invented a story to explain the disappearance of Jesus’ body. It would have been easier to accept
Jesus’ message and make appropriate changes in their lives and beliefs. We must not become so
hardened by denial that we, like the Jewish leaders, go to great lengths to avoid accepting the
lifesaving message of the gospel.
28:16-20 Some disciples adjusted to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection quite readily, while others
still doubted. But Jesus’ resurrection was not an end in itself, nor was it for just his closest disciples.
This new life through faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ is offered to all the people of the
world. Those who by faith enter true spiritual recovery are baptized to show their commitment.
Studying God’s Word and regular instruction in the faith help those in recovery grow spiritually.
Recovery is available through God’s power until Jesus returns at the end of the age.
