The Resurrection and Our Witness to Jesus

Matthew 28 puts the resurrection and the witness of God’s people right next to each other. The empty tomb does not leave Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting around trying to figure out what just happened. The angel says, “Come and see,” and then, “Go quickly and tell.” Jesus meets them in their fear and great joy, receives their worship, and sends them again: “Go and tell my brothers.”

The resurrection carries historical markers. The tomb is empty. The women see it. The disciples keep telling the same story, even when the story brings danger. The guards also become part of the evidence, because the religious leaders have to pay them to spread a different story. The resurrection really happened, and the world got turned upside down because Jesus was not in that tomb.

The resurrection also writes something on the hearts of disciples. The disciples do not have the reaction of people making something up. The resurrection gives a steely resolve, the kind that lets Paul say, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” The empty grave means followers of Jesus can stand in hard places without acting like fear has the final word.

Jesus then grounds the Great Commission in his total authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The command to go is not only about heading somewhere far away. “In your going,” Christians can look for opportunities to invite people onto team Jesus. The discomfort of sharing faith does not mean something is wrong. The pushback often means the enemy knows that Jesus changes people.

The gospel’s spread through all nations shows the heart of God for all nations. Christianity did not stay where it started. God carried the good news into Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and every kind of people group because the God who created every nation intends to redeem people from every nation.

God’s providence also works through chaos, missed trains, strange delays, and ordinary conversations. God can line up a Russian Bible, a train ride, and a hungry heart at exactly the right moment. God remains fifteen moves ahead, opening doors that no human plan could force open.

The call is simple: invite people into real life, real relationships, and the real hope of Jesus. A home, a conversation, a mentoring relationship, an invitation to church, or a community event can become a glimpse of something bigger. Jesus gives people a taste of life, redemption, love, belonging, and salvation that will one day be fully known in eternity.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The empty tomb creates bold witnesses. The resurrection is not a private comfort or a religious idea floating in the air. The empty grave pushes the women outward with fear, joy, worship, and a clear assignment to tell others. The same risen Christ still turns those who meet him into witnesses who cannot treat his victory as small news. [24:31]
• 2. Historical truth steadies fearful hearts. The disciples hold their ground because they have seen something real. The resurrection gives more than optimism; it gives a settled confidence that death, danger, and pressure do not get the last word. Christ’s victory creates the kind of resolve that can face suffering without pretending suffering is easy. [30:36]
• 3. Christ rules over every obstacle. Jesus does not send his people out with a vague hope that things might work out. His command comes after the declaration that all authority belongs to him. Every hard heart, hostile place, awkward conversation, and apparent setback remains under the authority of the risen King. [40:05]
• 4. God uses chaos for conversion. God can use missed trains, frustrating delays, and ordinary encounters to bring his Word to someone who needs it. Human inconvenience does not cancel divine purpose. God’s hand can turn a moment that feels wasted into the exact place where a hungry heart receives life. [39:02]
• 5. Jesus offers a taste of eternity. The gospel gives more than temporary improvement or a nicer religious experience. Jesus brings people into redemption, belonging, love, and salvation that will be fully enjoyed only in his presence. Every invitation toward team Jesus can become a glimpse of the feast still to come. [49:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:50] - Let’s Go With Jesus
• [21:30] - The Resurrection and Witness
• [22:24] - The Women Meet the Risen Jesus
• [22:47] - The Great Commission
• [24:31] - Historical Markers of the Resurrection
• [27:20] - The Empty Tomb Changes Everything
• [29:12] - Resurrection Gives Steely Resolve
• [31:38] - Making Disciples of All Nations
• [34:48] - God’s Providence in Chaotic Moments
• [40:05] - All Authority Belongs to Jesus
• [42:21] - Opportunities Right in the Neighborhood
• [43:17] - Inviting People Into Real Life
• [47:23] - Babette’s Feast and Eternity
• [49:48] - Prayer for Boldness

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:1-20
“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.” While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [20:50]

Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [31:14]

Isaiah 45:23
“By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” [41:00]

Observation questions

1. What do the angel and Jesus each tell the women to do after they discover that Jesus has risen? [22:07]
2. What details in Matthew 28 show both fear and joy in the women’s response to the empty tomb?
3. How do the guards, chief priests, and elders respond to the report of what happened at the tomb, and what alternative story do they create? [22:47]
4. Before giving the command to make disciples, what does Jesus say about his authority, and what promises does he give his disciples? [40:05]

Interpretation questions

1. Why might Matthew place the command to “go and tell” so close to the discovery of the empty tomb? What does that connection show about how resurrection faith is meant to work? [28:15]
2. The women worship Jesus while some of the disciples later doubt. What does this passage suggest about Jesus’ patience with people who have real questions or fears as they learn to follow him?
3. Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey. What does this show about the difference between simply inviting someone to church and helping someone become a disciple of Jesus? [31:56]
4. Philippians 1:21 describes a confidence that life belongs to Christ and death is gain. How does the resurrection give a believer courage without pretending that danger, grief, or suffering are easy? [31:06]

Application questions

1. Where do fear or awkwardness most often keep you from mentioning Jesus—at work, with family, among neighbors, or with friends? What would one natural next step look like in that relationship? [41:05]
2. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. What obstacle, hard heart, or difficult situation have you been treating as bigger than Jesus’ authority? How could that truth change the way you pray or act this week? [40:05]
3. “In your going,” there are opportunities to point people toward Jesus. What regular places are already part of your life—your home, school, workplace, gym, coffee shop, or neighborhood—where you could become more attentive to people’s spiritual needs? [40:38]
4. God can use frustrating delays, changed plans, and ordinary conversations for his purposes. Can you identify a recent inconvenience that may have opened an opportunity to encourage, serve, or speak with someone? [39:14]
5. Inviting someone into real life can be an important first step toward inviting them to know Jesus. What is one concrete way you could offer genuine hospitality this month: a meal, coffee, a walk, help with a project, or an invitation into your home? [43:28]
6. The good news offers people redemption, belonging, love, and a glimpse of the life that will be fully known in eternity. When you talk about faith, which of those realities has been most real to you lately, and who might need to hear about it? [49:18]