From Death to Life Again

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

No matter how many times you read about it—the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most compelling true story in history. Sit a little longer at the foot of the cross as we look at the events immediately after Jesus died and ponder Jesus’ final words to His followers.

When Jesus died, He dismissed His Spirit and willingly left His body. In that moment, an earthquake shook the ground. In a nearby cemetery, certain graves opened and “many bodies of the saints arose.” Many witnesses saw them and marveled. (We wish more had been told about this.)

Then quickly following in the temple, the thick curtain in the Holy of Holies tore from top to bottom. Only God could have done this. This veil, a picture of Jesus’ body rent on the cross, now opened the way into God’s presence. Jesus had paid the penalty for our sin in His own body. No more do we need a priest or a preacher to go to God for us; through Jesus, we can go directly to God’s throne.

In the chaos of the earthquake and then an eclipse, what caused the apostles to scatter drew other followers into the open to declare their faith. Courageous Joseph of Arimathaea got permission to take Jesus’ body down from the cross. He laid His body in his own new tomb and rolled a huge stone across the door. Nobody could steal Jesus’ body now. Of course, no one believed He would come out of that tomb alive.

But He did. Jesus is alive!

The gospel rests on two great pillars: Jesus’ death and His resurrection. (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and Romans 4:25.) All other religions record their leader’s death. Only the Christian faith records the resurrection of its founder. Only Jesus is alive.

What about the soldiers guarding the tomb? Their authorities said, “Say you fell asleep and His disciples stole the body. We’ll cover for you.” Such a feeble excuse was the first century alibi to explain away the resurrection of Christ. Unbelief has now had 19 centuries to think it over, yet no other alibis can explain away the evidence.

Back at the tomb, angels announced to Jesus’ faithful disciples, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Before you witness about Jesus, you must first believe He rose from the dead. You must have it settled in your own mind that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and came back to life. Then with these things certain, you can “go quickly, and tell.” My friend, go and tell—it’s the greatest mission in this life.

Jesus, speaking as the King, tells His followers of all ages to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (28:19). Only in His power can we obey His instructions.

Matthew is the Gospel of the King. Jesus was born a king. He lived as a king. He died as a king. He rose again as a king. And He will be coming again to this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords! Let it be the honor of your life to bow to Him today.

1. The implications of the resurrection are obvious, but we don’t always connect them to our everyday life. What can the truth of Jesus’ defeat of death do for you right now?

2. The two Marys were faithful to Jesus, even in death. Along the way to anoint His body they were worried about how to roll away the stone, but God had already removed that obstacle and was doing something completely unexpected. What lessons for the Christian life can we learn from the experience of the two Marys that first Easter morning?

3. In what ways are you fulfilling the Great Commission in your life today?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on Matthew 27:50—28:20.

For a deeper study of Matthew, download the Matthew Bible Companion for free!