Matthew 28

1 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. 2 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. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 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.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

SERMON NOTES

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That first Resurrection Sunday was a morning of fear and grief.

The resurrection gives you and me a message of hope and power.

The resurrection provides you and me a Savior who meets us where we are.

The resurrection gives us unshakable hope.

GROUP STUDY

REVIEW

Reread Matthew 28:1–4. What extraordinary events do these verses describe at Jesus’ tomb? How do you imagine Mary Magdalene and the other Mary felt as they experienced the earthquake and saw the angel?

In Matthew 28:5–6, the angel says to the women, “Do not be afraid… He is not here; for He has risen, just as He said.” Why might the women have needed the reassurance “Do not be afraid”? What is the significance of the phrase “just as He said” in the angel’s announcement? How do these words offer hope to the women?

The angel invites the women to “come and see” the empty tomb and then “go quickly and tell His disciples” that Jesus is risen (Matthew 28:6–7). Why do you think the angel includes both an invitation to see and a command to tell? How might seeing the empty tomb have impacted the women’s faith, and why was it important for them to share what they witnessed with the disciples?

Matthew 28:8 says the women ran from the tomb “afraid yet filled with joy.” What do you think caused them to feel both fear and joy at the same time? What might they have been afraid of, and what was giving them joy in that moment?

In Matthew 28:9–10, Jesus suddenly meets the women on their way. How do the women respond when they recognize the risen Jesus? What does their reaction of clasping His feet and worshiping Him reveal about who Jesus is? Why do you think Jesus repeats the instruction “Do not be afraid” in verse 10 before sending them to inform His “brothers” (the disciples)?

REFLECT

Jesus’ resurrection is called “the hope that changes everything.” How would you describe the hope of salvation that Jesus’ resurrection gives you personally?

Both the angel and Jesus told the women, “Do not be afraid.” What are some fears or challenges you are dealing with currently? How can the truth of Jesus’ resurrection help you confront those fears or give you courage in those situations?

The angel said Jesus had risen “just as He said.” How does Jesus’ resurrection demonstrate that God keeps His promises? What is a promise from Scripture that encourages you, and how does Christ’s victory over death strengthen your trust in that promise today?

The resurrection of Jesus is central to our identity as Christians. Because Jesus is alive, what does that mean for who you are as His follower? How does having a living Savior shape your sense of purpose or the way you live your daily life?

RESPOND

The women were instructed to tell the disciples about Jesus’ resurrection. How can we “go and tell” others about the hope we have because Jesus is risen? What are some practical ways you can share or demonstrate the hope of the resurrection with people in your life or community this week?