Matthew 28:5-6 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.”
After studying Matthew for years, I reflect on an import fact. In the midst of His ministry work, within a short period of time, Jesus foretold of His death and resurrection three times!
These occasions are recorded in:
Matthew 16:21
Matthew 17:9
Matthew 17:22-23
Then soon before going to Jerusalem for His final Passover, Jesus foretold of His death and resurrection yet again.
That occasion is recorded in Matthew 20:17-19.
Here during this epic dawn, an angel rolled back the stone which covered the tomb.
The appearance of that angel struck fear into the Roman guards, and they ended up fleeing their post.
Then the women arrived. Piecing together the details from the witnesses of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we learn there were at least five women. Their encounters with the angels were quite overwhelming to them. Yet though they were overwhelmed, and though Mary Magdalene remained out of it until her direct encounter with Jesus, even in the midst of their amazement they remembered that Jesus had foretold of His death, as is stated in Luke 24:8. (Mary Magdalene probably being the exception.)
They did continue to be overwhelmed. The first angel who spoke to them said, “Do not be afraid…” (28:5). Yet soon thereafter Matthew states: “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (28:8). (And note Mary Magdalene separated from the other women either before they started running or while they were running.)
I understand that this divine miracle would be overwhelming. Yet Jesus foretold of His resurrection! Jesus is God the Son, and He knew what was going to happen.
Why did He not keep it a big surprise? That would have only added to the excitement for everyone.
The answer is that Jesus was on a mission, and He wanted His followers to know that His atoning death and resurrection was His plan. His purpose in dying: The atonement for sins so that we people can be forgiven of our sins.
Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone. Jesus was the atoning sacrifice for the consequence of sins, which is spiritual death. Then Jesus was resurrected.
If you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then you will have eternal life.
Jesus loves you!
Hunter
I add, in case you are interested, a link to the sermon I offered on April 7th as a guest preacher at McClave Community Christian Church, which is on the same subject as the piece above. Enjoy!
