Part 1 — Jesus Has Risen! Death Has Been Defeated Forever
Matthew 28 begins with the greatest announcement in human history.
Very early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb.
Suddenly:
“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven… and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.” — Matthew 28:2 (NKJV)
The guards shook with fear.
Then the angel spoke these wonderful words:
“Do not be afraid… For I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said…” — Matthew 28:5–6 (NKJV)
Notice the phrase:
“…as He said.”
The resurrection was not unexpected.
Jesus had repeatedly foretold it.
The women hurried to tell the disciples, and on the way:
“…Jesus met them…” — Matthew 28:9 (NKJV)
Their response was immediate:
“…they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” — Matthew 28:9 (NKJV)
The resurrection changed everything.
The cross was no longer a symbol of apparent defeat.
It had become the pathway to eternal victory.
Take-home message:
Matthew 28 reminds believers that our faith is built upon a living Saviour, not merely the memory of a great teacher. Because Jesus rose from the dead, sin has been conquered, death has lost its final victory, and every promise of God stands secure. The empty tomb fills every believer with lasting hope. Whatever challenges we face today, we serve the risen Christ who reigns forever. His resurrection assures us that nothing—not even death itself—can separate those who belong to Him from the life He has secured for them.
Part 2 — No Human Effort Can Stop God’s Truth
The religious leaders quickly attempted to suppress the truth of the resurrection.
Matthew records:
“They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers…” — Matthew 28:12 (NKJV)
The soldiers were instructed to say:
“His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.” — Matthew 28:13 (NKJV)
Matthew adds:
“So they took the money and did as they were instructed…” — Matthew 28:15 (NKJV)
The resurrection did not lack evidence.
Rather, some deliberately chose to reject the evidence.
No conspiracy, political power, or religious opposition could overturn what God had accomplished.
The empty tomb remained empty.
The risen Christ continued appearing to His followers.
Truth cannot ultimately be defeated.
Take-home message:
Matthew 28 reminds believers that God’s truth stands firm regardless of human opposition. Throughout history there have always been attempts to explain away, dismiss, or deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ, yet the Gospel continues to transform lives across every generation. Our confidence rests not in human opinion but in the historical reality that Christ has risen exactly as He promised. Therefore, believers need not fear opposition or criticism. The risen Lord continues building His Church, and nothing can overturn the truth of His victory.
Part 3 — The Risen King Sends His Church Into the World
The chapter concludes on a mountain in Galilee.
Jesus appeared to His disciples.
Matthew writes:
“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.” — Matthew 28:17 (NKJV)
Jesus did not begin by speaking about their weakness.
Instead, He declared His authority:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” — Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)
On that basis He gave what has become known as the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
He continued:
“…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” — Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
Then came one of the most comforting promises in Scripture:
“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. — Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
The Gospel that began in Israel was now to be proclaimed to every nation.
The disciples were not merely called to make converts.
They were called to make disciples—people who would continually follow and obey Christ.
Take-home message:
Matthew 28 reminds believers that every follower of Christ has been entrusted with His mission. The resurrection is not simply good news to celebrate—it is good news to share. Jesus possesses all authority, and He sends His people into the world with His own power and presence. Whether through our words, our lives, our service, or our witness, we are called to help others become faithful disciples of Christ. We never fulfil this mission alone, because the risen Lord has promised to remain with His people until His work on earth is complete.
# Part 4 — Deeper Waters
Matthew concludes his Gospel with the triumphant victory of the risen Christ, bringing together every major theme introduced throughout the book.
The resurrection vindicates everything Jesus claimed about Himself. Throughout Matthew, He has been presented as the promised Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of God, the greater Moses, the true King, and the suffering Servant. The empty tomb confirms that every one of these claims is true. Death itself could not hold the One who perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will.
The angel’s words, “He is risen, as He said,” highlight the absolute reliability of Jesus’ promises. The resurrection is not an unexpected miracle added to the story; it is the fulfilment of what Jesus repeatedly foretold (e.g., Matthew 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:18–19). The God who fulfilled this promise will fulfil every other promise He has made.
Matthew also contrasts two responses to the resurrection. The women respond with worship, obedience, and joyful proclamation. The religious leaders respond with unbelief and attempted deception. The resurrection therefore becomes the great dividing line. Every person must decide whether to worship the risen King or reject His testimony.
The Great Commission fulfils God’s redemptive purpose revealed throughout Scripture. The promise to Abraham that “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) now finds its worldwide expression as the Gospel is taken to all nations. Jesus, the rejected King of Matthew 27, now declares that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. His Kingdom is no longer centred on one nation but extends to every people, tribe, language, and nation.
The Gospel closes with another beautiful connection to its opening chapter. Matthew began by introducing Jesus as “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). It ends with Jesus’ promise:
“…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
The One who came as “God with us” continues to remain with His people until He returns in glory. The presence promised at His birth becomes the assurance that sustains His Church throughout its mission.
Pastorally, Matthew 28 encourages believers to:
Ultimately, Matthew 28 points us to Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, the victorious King, and the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. The Gospel that began with His miraculous birth now ends with His triumphant resurrection, but His work is not finished. He continues calling people into His Kingdom through the witness of His Church. Until He returns, believers live in the certainty that their Saviour is alive, their King reigns, their mission is clear, and their Lord is always with them. The final words of Matthew leave the Church with enduring hope: the risen Christ reigns today, and His presence will never depart from His people until the end of the age.