After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28:1-4 NIV)
Matthew, the first writer we get to read, has Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" going to the tomb. In the other accounts, we will find out that "the other Mary" is actually Mary, the mother of Jesus. Is there any reason Matthew would choose to call her "the other Mary" rather than Jesus' mother? What is Matthew trying to communicate when he tells us about an earthquake and an angel of the Lord who is so frightening that Roman soldiers faint? How does he describe the angel?
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Matthew 28:5-8 NIV)
When the angel speaks to the women, including "the other Mary," what are his first words? Does Matthew write about an angel saying, "Do not be afraid" earlier in his Gospel? Who is the angel speaking to that time?
Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:9-10 NIV)
What do both Mary's do when they encounter Jesus? Does this give us insight into why Matthew calls her "the other Mary" rather than Jesus' mom? What does "mom" do here?
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. (Matthew 28:12-15 NIV)
Why do you think Matthew includes this in his account of Jesus' resurrection? Why would it be important to communicate?
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17 NIV)
Matthew summarizes the eleven encountering Jesus in one meeting. Then he moves on to the summary statement below. Why do you think he jumps to the next statement so quickly?
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
What is most important to Matthew? Based on the relatively short account of Jesus' resurrection and on the last three verses you just read, what would you say is Matthew's purpose in writing? What is he hoping you and I will do?
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