CROSS TO COMMISSION | He Has Risen | Matthew 28:1-10

Devotional

Day 1: Beholding the Risen Christ in Awe and Wonder

The beauty of creation is meant to point us to the majesty of the Creator. Often, we can become captivated by the wonders of the world without allowing that sense of awe to draw us into a deeper worship of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is not a common event to be acknowledged intellectually, but a divine reality to be marveled at with our whole hearts. We are invited to move beyond mere head knowledge and into a spirit-led encounter with the living God. Let your heart be captivated by Him. [08:45]

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Matthew 28:1-6 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one aspect of Jesus’s life, death, or resurrection that has become common or familiar to you, and how might you intentionally pause this week to behold it with fresh wonder?

Day 2: The Finished Work of the Cross and Empty Tomb

The work of redemption was sealed by two powerful earthquakes: one at Christ’s death for our sins and another at His resurrection for our victory. The empty tomb stands as a permanent sign that death, hell, and the grave have been utterly defeated. The folded face cloth left behind was a clear signal to those who would see it that the Master’s work was completely finished. Our freedom is not found in our circumstances, but in this finished work of Christ. [22:01]

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to believe that something is not yet "finished" or that God’s work is incomplete, and how can the truth of the resurrection speak into that place?

Day 3: Encountering the Divine with Fear and Great Joy

The women at the tomb experienced a collision of overwhelming emotions: the fear that comes from encountering the divine and the great joy of seeing their risen Lord. This is the proper response to the resurrection—a reverent awe combined with unspeakable gladness. Jesus accepts this worship, revealing His divine nature and affirming that He is far more than a mere man. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, worthy of all adoration. [32:57]

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:8-9 (ESV)

Reflection: When you consider the reality of the resurrection, which resonates more deeply with you right now—holy fear or overwhelming joy—and what might that reveal about your current relationship with Christ?

Day 4: The Commission to Proclaim the Resurrection

The first heralds of the resurrection were a group of women, whom Jesus entrusted with the most important news in history. In a culture that often dismissed their testimony, Christ empowered them to proclaim the gospel to His disciples. This act demonstrates that the commission to spread this news is for everyone who has encountered the risen Lord. We are all called to be witnesses, telling others that He is alive and going before us. [30:57]

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:10 (ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that God might be inviting you to "go and tell" about the hope found in the resurrection, and what would be a simple first step you could take?

Day 5: Living as Family in the Resurrection Power

The resurrection changes everything, including our status. Jesus no longer calls His followers servants, but brothers and sisters. Through His victory, we are adopted into God’s family and become co-heirs with Christ. This new identity is not based on our performance, but on His power and finished work. We are invited to live daily in the reality of this resurrection life, beholding Him above all else. [50:14]

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 8:29 (ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding yourself as a brother or sister of Christ, rather than just a follower, change the way you approach your daily struggles and your relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 28:1–10 presents an urgent portrait of resurrection power that completes redemption. The text narrates women returning to finish burial rites, an angel’s descent, a rolled-away stone, and an empty tomb with the grave clothes neatly folded—signs that death did not hold its claim. Earthquakes bookend the passion week: one at the crucifixion and another at the tomb, together serving as cosmic markers that seal forgiveness and victory over death, hell, and the grave. The folded linen functions as a deliberate sign: the work stands finished, not left undone.

Luke’s Simeon scene and the life stories of Jesus invite sustained wonder. The Gospels portray a life both ordinary and utterly divine—childhood wisdom, perfect obedience to family, baptism with the Spirit, desert testing, public ministry, miracles, and prophecies about suffering and rising again. Those facts press toward a single demand: behold the whole Christ, not only isolated moments. The narrative highlights repeated predictions of resurrection and Jesus’ shocking self-claims—seated at the right hand, preexistent before Abraham, on the clouds—evidence the person in the tomb does not fit human limits.

The resurrection also reorders relationships and mission. Women, culturally marginalized as reliable witnesses, receive the first commission to proclaim the risen One, and the risen Lord redefines disciples as brothers and coheirs—family made by resurrection. The call moves from mere assent to transformation: Scripture prays for inner strength, Spirit-wrought faith, repentance, baptism, and a life renewed by wonder. The empty tomb demands a posture that moves beyond head knowledge into awakened devotion and continual beholding of Christ’s life, death, and vindicating resurrection.

Key Takeaways

1. Resurrection defeats death, hell, grave [18:35] The resurrection functions as a decisive reversal of finality: death no longer rules, and the keys of authority transfer from the realm of condemnation to the risen King. Earthquakes at both crucifixion and resurrection mark God’s judicial action and vindication. The empty tomb reframes suffering: pain did not culminate in loss but in decisive victory that secures future hope. Hold this truth when fear, loss, or lack presses the heart. [18:35]
2. Behold Christ’s entire life [08:45] Simeon’s expectant gaze models a posture of awe that attends the whole of Jesus—from child to Teacher to Redeemer. Fixating on isolated parts dilutes the Gospel; contemplation of the full life reveals the pattern of obedience, power, and sacrificial love that defines God’s rescue. This sustained beholding cultivates resilience in trials and clarifies what real worship looks like. Let attention shift from mere information to spiritual astonishment. [08:45]
3. Folded linen signals completion [20:45] The neatly folded face cloth functions as an ancient sign: the Master has finished and departed, not deranged by hurried escape. That detail carries theological weight—atonement accomplished and victory enacted, so no frantic unraveling remains. The folded cloth invites confidence that God’s work resolves guilt and the chaos of sin. Rest in the finished work rather than scrambling to reassemble salvation. [20:45]
4. Women commissioned to proclaim [30:38] The choice to send women as first witnesses overturns cultural expectations and shows how resurrection reverses social orders to spread truth. Empowerment for proclamation flows from resurrection identity; credibility in the Spirit outweighs human prejudice. The commission signals that mission depends on bold witness, not status, and that family in Christ grows through testimony. Embrace proclamation as the practical outworking of resurrected belonging. [30:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Series and Opening Remarks
[02:54] - Prayer from Ephesians 3
[05:24] - Simeon and the Call to Behold
[14:20] - Women Go to the Tomb
[16:06] - Earthquakes and Resurrection Power
[20:45] - Folded Linen: A Sign Finished
[28:12] - Jesus’ Predictions Fulfilled
[30:38] - Women Commissioned to Proclaim
[49:33] - Claims of Divinity and Response
[53:55] - Invitation, Prayer, and Response
[57:09] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Observation questions

What specific details does the angel give the women at the tomb to prove that Jesus has risen?
What two contrasting emotions did the women experience as they left the tomb to tell the disciples the news?
How does Jesus refer to his disciples when he gives the women the message to deliver, and how is this different from before his resurrection?
In the sermon, what was the significance of the folded face cloth found in the tomb, according to first-century custom? [20:45]

Interpretation questions

The resurrection is described as a decisive victory over death, hell, and the grave. [18:35] What does this victory practically mean for the daily life and eternal future of a believer?
The women, who were culturally marginalized as reliable witnesses, were chosen to be the first proclaimers of the resurrection. [30:38] Why would God choose to overturn social expectations in this moment, and what does this reveal about how He spreads truth?
The sermon emphasizes the need to "behold Christ’s entire life" and not just isolated moments. [08:45] Why is it important to consider Jesus's entire life—from his childhood obedience to his baptism, ministry, and death—rather than just focusing on the cross or resurrection?
Jesus made several direct claims to divinity, such as stating "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). [49:33] How do these claims, combined with the empty tomb, force a person to decide who Jesus really is?

Application questions

The folded linen in the tomb was a sign that the work of redemption was completely finished. [20:45] In what areas of your life do you still scramble to earn God's favor or reassemble your own salvation, instead of resting in the confidence that His work is complete?
Resurrection power has defeated the finality of death and secures our future hope. [18:35] How can you actively "hold this truth" the next time you face fear, significant loss, or a feeling of lack that presses on your heart?
The call is to move beyond head knowledge into a life renewed by wonder and awakened devotion. [08:45] What is one practical way you can "behold" Christ and cultivate spiritual astonishment in your daily routine this week, outside of a Sunday service?
The commission to proclaim the risen Christ was given first to those who society might overlook. [30:38] How does your identity as a co-heir and brother or sister in Christ empower you to boldly share the gospel, regardless of your perceived status or credibility?
Jesus never stopped anyone from worshiping him, which was a claim to divinity under Jewish law. [36:19] What affections or things in your life compete with giving Christ the highest place of worship, and what step can you take to reorient your heart to behold Him as Lord?

Sermon Clips

And we we tend to think that, you know, the angel rolled away the stone for Jesus to come out. No. No. No. No, family. That wasn't the case. Jesus wasn't in the tomb when they rolled the stone back. The tomb was only rolled the stone back so you and I could look in the tomb and see he's risen. Oh, yeah. He is he is not here. He is not here, but he is a risen savior now. He is not I don't know where he at, but he ain't here. He's alive. [00:19:31] (44 seconds) #TombRolledToReveal

See, I know with our western eyes, that's like, okay. It was folded up. But in the first century, like, when the master came home and reclined at the table and the servant came and fed him and fed him and fed him, It wasn't until the master. It wasn't until the master took the napkin and folded it up. And that's when the servant knew the master is finished. I said that's when the that's when the servant knew the master was finished. [00:20:45] (56 seconds) #FoldedNapkinSign

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CROSS TO COMMISSION | He Has Risen | Matthew 28:1-10 | Milton James