Chronological Gospels: Matthew 28; Mark 16

We just spent a couple of weeks delving into the imperative truth of Christ’s death on the cross. Those chapters bear much weight for all of mankind, yet they are even more important when read with the chapters we will spend the next three weeks concluding the gospel accounts with. After spending several weeks studying the darkness and evil surrounding Christ’s crucifixion, today the tomb is opened and Jesus is no longer buried inside – He is risen! There is hope!

Jesus died on the cross with the full weight of mankind’s sins, and 3 days later He rose from the dead just as He told His disciples He would. His resurrection is a real event, just like His death was a real event. He was dead and buried, and then He was alive again, walking, talking, teaching, and commanding. Christ rose from the dead showing that He has power over death, and dying carrying the full weight of sin shows He has power over sin. Through these two vital events, Jesus defeats the power of both sin and death. All who believe in His death and resurrection for the salvation of mankind will themselves be saved by their faith.

What does the resurrection teach you about Jesus?

What does His resurrection teach you about your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus didn’t just rise from the dead, high-five everyone, and ascend to Heaven – Jesus spent time with His disciples, cared for them, and gave them their mission before He went away to sit at the right hand of God. The mission He gave the disciples is the same mission each an every one of us has also been given as followers of Jesus. Our great commission straight from the mouth of Jesus is to go into all the world and share the gospel. We are called by Christ Himself to tell the world about Him and what He has done for all of mankind.

How does the great commission impact you? How are you or can you be living this out?