The Meaning

The Meaning

Matthew 28:5-10, NLT

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And 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.” 8The 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. 9And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Setting the Scene

Understandably, the women were frightened by the angels at the tomb. An angel spoke reassuringly and reminded them of Jesus’ prediction about the Resurrection. The words “He has risen” or “He is risen” are literally, “He is raised.” God raised Jesus from the dead as a vindication of Jesus’ divinity. The angel invited the women to see that the tomb was empty and then sent them to the disciples with the amazing news.

Jesus’ resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that Jesus is the Truth, God incarnate, not a false prophet or impostor. He is ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom.

Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth’s history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God’s mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Christ’s second coming.

Because Jesus arose just as he said he would, we can be confident that he will accomplish all that he has promised, including bringing us to heaven.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection we can be certain of our own resurrection. Death has been conquered and is not the end. We will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ.

Getting Personal

In what ways has the truth of the Resurrection bolstered your confidence?

How has it given you hope?

Why should the Resurrection be a reason for joy?

The apostle Paul knew the importance of the Resurrection. He wrote: “And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19, NLT).

Christ has been raised from the dead. Christianity is not a “religion,” it is a relationship with a living Savior. The Resurrection enables us to live with confidence, hope, and joy!

Talking to God

Thank God for the confidence you feel because of his faithfulness in keeping his word. Thank him for the hope you have for your future in him. Thank him for the joy you experience in relationship with him.