Matt 28:1-11
SS Lesson for 04/17/2022
Devotional Scripture: 1 Cor 15:12-19
Today is Resurrection Sunday, when Christians around the world focus attention on a Sunday two millennia ago. On that day everything actually did change, and the world has never been the same. Jesus’ followers had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel (Luke 24:19–21), but he had been brutally executed at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Roman officials (Matthew 26:47–27:50). Ominous events had accompanied his death. A deep darkness covered the land (27:45). The curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and an earthquake had split rocks and opened graves in the area (27:51–53). The manner in which Jesus died led a Roman centurion and other guards to acclaim Jesus as the Son of God (27:54). Matthew 28:1–10 is the first of four resurrection narratives in the Gospels (see Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20). These all paint the same picture in broad strokes: Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. The overarching truth of these three events guides each writer, even when they differ on details. And the differences in emphasis and detail among the resurrection narratives should comfort us. They indicate that the accounts are not the product of a conspiracy created by a group focused on getting their stories straight. The resurrection narratives complement one another as they affirm that witnesses saw an empty grave and the risen Savior. Every Gospel account counters the disinformation and lies of the chief priests and Pharisees that resulted after Jesus’ resurrection. Many Jews anticipated that God would inaugurate his kingdom in its fullness at the end of history. At that time, the righteous would be raised bodily to eternal life (Daniel 12:1–2; John 11:23–26). Because the Jewish leaders feared that Jesus’ disciples would steal the body from the grave and then claim Jesus was alive, the religious leaders had convinced Pilate to authorize guards to be placed at the tomb (Matthew 27:62–66).
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
28:1-4. At dawn on the first day of the week, several women went to the tomb of Jesus. They knew where the Lord had been laid for they had seen Joseph and Nicodemus roll the stone over the door of the tomb (27:56). The women were returning to the tomb on Sunday morning, now that the Sabbath was over, to anoint Jesus’ body for burial (Mark 16:1). There was, however, a violent earthquake associated with an angel coming from heaven and rolling away the stone from the door of the tomb. The appearance of the angel was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The Roman soldiers guarding the tomb were so frightened by the angel that they shook and apparently fainted. They had been sent there to seal and guard the tomb, but their power was useless before this angelic messenger.
28:5-8. Though the soldiers were afraid, the angel had a special message for the women. To them he announced the fact of the Resurrection, for the One they sought was no longer there, but had risen just as He said. He had told them several times He would rise on the third day (16:21; 17:23; 20:19). If He had failed to rise, He would have been a deceiver unworthy of further devotion. One proof He had risen was the empty tomb. The women were encouraged to come and see the place where the Lord had been lying. Then the angel told them to go quickly and tell the disciples that He had risen from the dead and would be going ahead of them into Galilee, just as He had said (26:32). They would see Him... there, and indeed they did (28:16-20; John 21:1-23). But these words did not preclude His appearing to them on other occasions, as He did later that day (John 20:19-25). The women obeyed the angel’s instructions for they hurried away from the tomb, intending to find the disciples and tell them the good news. They were filled with joy over the fact of the Resurrection, but they were fearful for they could not possibly comprehend the full implications of this momentous event.
28:9-10. As the women were on their way to tell the disciples what had happened, suddenly Jesus met them. Hearing His greeting, they recognized Him immediately and they fell at His feet and worshiped Him. By His appearance Jesus alleviated their fears and repeated the same message the angel had previously given: Do not be afraid (v. 10; cf. v. 5). He told them to tell the disciples (My brothers) to go to Galilee where He would appear before them. The Galilean ministry of Jesus was prominent in Matthew’s account and it was natural for Jesus to meet His disciples there. They were all from Galilee and would be returning to Galilee after the Feast. There Jesus would meet them.
28:11-15. While the women were running to find the disciples and tell them of the Resurrection, another group was moving rapidly to counteract the truth. Some of those who had been guarding the tomb overcame their fear, went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had transpired. It was imperative that the priests have an explanation to counter the truth. After deliberation the chief priests and elders... devised a plan. They gave the soldiers who had guarded the tomb a large sum of money and told them what to report to their superiors. The fabricated lie was that the disciples of Jesus had come during the night and had stolen away the body of Jesus while the soldiers were asleep. Such a report would not have been well received by the officials for a soldier who fell asleep on guard duty would be put to death (Acts 12:19). The Jewish leaders realized this as well, but promised to make things right with the superiors. When this was brought to the attention of the governor, they promised to satisfy him and keep the soldiers out of trouble. Such satisfaction obviously would involve the payment of another large sum of money. The soldiers took the money offered by the Jewish leaders and did as they were instructed. As a result, this story was widely circulated among the Jews, and many believed the disciples had really stolen Jesus’ body. But the logic of the explanation does not hold up. If the soldiers were asleep, how would they have known what had happened to the body of Jesus? And why would they admit “sleeping on the job”? The disciples’ courage during this period was not sufficient to carry out such a plot. They were afraid and had scattered when Jesus was arrested. To execute this kind of plot was beyond their ability. But the truth is often harder for a person to believe than a lie, and many still swallow this lie.
28:16-20. Matthew did not record the meeting of Jesus with the 10 disciples later that same day (John 20:19-23) or the appearance 8 days later to the 11 disciples (John 20:24-29). But he did record an appearance occurring some time later in Galilee, where He promised He would meet them (Matt. 26:32; cf. 28:7,10) at a mountain. Which mountain He specified is unknown. When Jesus appeared they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Since Jesus had appeared to them earlier and verified Himself to them, they were not doubting the Resurrection. There was probably simply a brief question among some of them as to whether this was truly Jesus appearing to them. There was no indication that any miraculous element was involved in His being there and since unusual circumstances had occurred with previous visits, perhaps they wondered. Their doubts were quickly dispelled, for Jesus spoke to them claiming all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority (exousia, “official right or power”) had been given to Jesus by the Father and now He was instructing the disciples to go on the basis of that authority. Their field was to include all nations, not just Israel (see 10:5-6). They were to make disciples by proclaiming the truth concerning Jesus. Their hearers were to be evangelized and enlisted as Jesus’ followers. Those who believed were to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Such an act would associate a believer with the person of Jesus Christ and with the Triune God. The God whom they served is one God and yet is three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those who respond are also to be taught the truths Jesus had specifically communicated to the Eleven. Not all that Jesus taught the disciples was communicated by them but they did teach specific truths for the new Church Age as they went abroad. Jesus’ commission, applicable to all His followers, involved one command, “Make disciples,” which is accompanied by three participles in the Greek: “going,” baptizing, and teaching. The final words of the Lord recorded by Matthew were a promise that He would be with them always until the very end of the Age. Though the Lord did not remain physically with the Eleven, His spiritual presence was with them until their tasks on earth were finished. These final words of the Lord were carried out by the apostles as they went everywhere, proclaiming the story of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews.
(Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came 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 from the door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
27 I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."
2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
46 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
5 But the angel answered and 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 is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
12 The Israelites said to Moses, "We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! 13 Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to die?"
37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
25 It was the third hour when they crucified him.
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."
29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.
11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
The resurrection is central to Christian theology (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19). However the Gospel evangelists did not deal with the theological implications of the resurrection but simply recorded the facts. The Apostle Paul wrote much to help us appreciate the significance of this great event (cf. Romans 4:24-25; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:34; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). "The history of the Life of Christ upon earth closes with a Miracle as great as that of its inception." [Note: Edershiem, The Life . . ., 2:621.]
The NASB translation of the Greek preposition opse as "late" is misleading. The word can also mean "after," and it makes better sense if translated as such here. [Note: Moule, p. 86.] The women waited until after the Sabbath to go to Jesus’ tomb (cf. Mark 16:1-2). They went early Sunday morning. The "other Mary" was Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 27:56). Mark added that Salome also accompanied them (Mark 16:1). Salome was evidently the name of the mother of Zebedee’s sons. The "and" (Gr. kai) in Mark 16:1 is probably assensive, meaning "even." Apparently they did not know that the Sanhedrin had posted a guard at the tomb. They evidently went there to remember Jesus but also to anoint Jesus’ corpse (Mark 16:1). They must not have known that it had been sealed either.
A second earthquake (divine intervention) had occurred (cf. Matthew 27:51). The relationship between the earthquake, the descent of the angel, and the rolling away of the stone is indefinite in the text. All of these events have supernatural connotations. An angel had announced the Incarnation, and now an angel announced the Resurrection (Matthew 1:20-23; cf. Matthew 18:10). [Note: Plummer, p. 417.] The angel rolled the stone away to admit the witnesses, not to allow Jesus to escape (cf. John 20:26). The guards experienced the earthquake and observed the angel who appeared as a young man (Mark 16:5). It was seeing the angel that evidently terrified them so greatly that Matthew could describe them as dead men (Matthew 28:3-4). Perhaps they fainted dead away.
The angel answered the women’s fear upon observing the scene by speaking to them (cf. Mark 16:2-7; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1). Of all the possible reasons for the tomb being open and empty that the women could have imagined, the angel clarified the one true explanation. Jesus had risen from the dead. The angel reminded them that Jesus had predicted His resurrection (cf. Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 20:18-19). He then invited them to come and see where He had lain and to go and tell the other disciples that He had risen from the dead. They should go quickly because this was the greatest news. Jesus would confirm His resurrection with a personal appearance in Galilee shortly (cf. Matthew 26:32). He would arrive in Galilee before they did and meet them there. "Earlier in Matthew’s story, Jesus twice said to the disciples that ’whoever loses his life will find it [Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25],’ and on the cross Jesus held fast to God in trust even as he relinquished his life (Matthew 27:46; Matthew 27:50). In raising Jesus from the dead, God certifies the truth of Jesus’ words and the efficacy of his trust, which is to say that God vindicates Jesus: God resolves Jesus’ conflict with Israel by showing that Jesus is in the right." [Note: Kingsbury, Matthew as . . ., pp. 90-91.]
Who Moved the Stone? is a classic apologetic on the subject of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Frank Morison, whose real name was Albert Henry Ross, was a skeptical British journalist when he began his research, but it convinced him of the historicity of the resurrection, and he became a Christian. This book presents a careful study of the last seven days of Jesus’ pre-crucifixion ministry. [Note: Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?]
Jesus’ sudden appearance must have given the women the shock of their lives (cf. Mark 16:8). He gave them a customary salutation (Gr. chariete, cf. Matthew 26:49). They kneeled at His feet and worshipped Him (cf. Matthew 28:17). Grasping someone’s feet was a recognized act of supplication and homage (Mark 5:22; Mark 7:25; Luke 17:16).
All the Gospels mention the fact that women were the first people to see Jesus alive. This is a proof that the resurrection was real. In that culture the witness of women was not regarded very highly. [Note: Craig S. Keener, A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, pp. 698-99, especially footnote 282.] Thus, if the evangelists fabricated the resurrection, they certainly would not have written that women witnessed it first. "The crowning events of the resurrection narrative are the appearances of the risen Jesus first to the women and then to his disciples, i.e., the eleven. The empty tomb, for all of its impressiveness and importance, is not sufficient evidence in itself for the resurrection of Jesus. What alone can be decisive is reliable eyewitness testimony that Jesus had been raised from the dead." [Note: Hagner, Matthew 14-28, p. 874. Cf. p. 878.]
Jesus calmed the women’s fears as the angel had done, and He repeated the instructions that the angel had given them. Jesus’ brethren were His disciples (Matthew 12:48-50; Matthew 18:15; Matthew 23:8; Matthew 25:40; cf. Matthew 5:22-24; Matthew 7:3-5; Matthew 18:21; Matthew 18:35). "Why, then, Matthew’s record of a resurrection appearance in Galilee? The answer surely lies in the combination of two themes that have permeated the entire Gospel. First, the Messiah emerges from a despised area . . . and first sheds his light on a despised people . . .; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). For this reason, too, the risen Jesus first appears to women whose value as witnesses among Jews is worthless . . . Second, ’Galilee of the Gentiles’ (Matthew 4:15) is compatible with the growing theme of Gentile mission in this Gospel . . . and prepares for the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)." [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 590. See Zane C. Hodges, "Form-Criticism and the Resurrection Accounts," Bibliotheca Sacra 124:496 (October-December 1967):339-48.]
Some of the guards left the others at the tomb and reported the earthquake, the angel, and the empty tomb to the chief priests. That they reported to the priests strongly suggests that they were Jewish temple guards rather than Roman guards (cf. Matthew 27:65). If they had been Roman guards and had reported to their Roman superiors, they probably would have lost their lives for falling asleep on duty (cf. Acts 12:19; Acts 16:27-28).
(Adapted from URL:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dcc/matthew-28.html)
At the center of Christian faith is the affirmation that Jesus rose from the dead. This is the testimony of women who saw the empty tomb and who encountered the resurrected Jesus. We can trust their words, and we can live in the light of the message they were given. Believers have a new start and new life in Christ. We need not fear the grave. The resurrection of Jesus has changed everything, and we have been entrusted with that message. Because we are released from the fear of death, we are free to live for God. The faithful life requires much of us, but all that we do begins with the joy and awe of Jesus’ resurrection. From there we go out into the world to announce his resurrection and the invitation to join in his kingdom. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates that the kingdom of God has broken into history. Its final consummation will come at the return of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20–24; Revelation 11:15). Believers may be confident that, when Christ returns, the Father will bring with Christ the dead in Christ who also had submitted and entrusted themselves to the Father (1 Thessalonians 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:12). The resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee of the believers’ resurrection and transformation at Christ’s second coming (example: 2 Corinthians 4:14). As believers, we live between the ages. The kingdom has been inaugurated, but we await its consummation (Colossians 1:12–13; Hebrews 12:28; 2 Peter 1:10–11). May our lives reflect God’s kingdom presence on earth in anticipation of the day we will experience it fully with him.
Jesus Is No Longer Dead! - The Sabbath stopped Jesus' disciples from properly finishing the preparation of His body r burial. As soon as the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses headed to the tomb. They felt the need to finish anointing the body. Jesus had repeatedly spoken of His resurrection. But the women still expected to find Jesus' dead body. How could He possibly be alive? Before the women's arrival, there had been an earthquake and an angel rolling the stone from the tomb. The Roman soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb trembled with fear and fainted. They suffered an immediate death if they lost a prisoner. Once the gigantic boulder was gone, the angel invited the women into the tomb to see for themselves—He's gone!
Go Tell of Jesus' Resurrection - The angel further commissioned them to tell the disciples the good news and tell them to go to Galilee. Jesus would meet them there. The women wasted no time questioning the angel or arguing—they ran to tell the others.
Jesus Appears - The two Marys made haste to report the good news to the disciples. But before they had left the area, they encountered Jesus. Matthew, the author of this account, used two words to describe their emotions: fear and joy. They fell down at His feet in worship. He repeated the angel's directives to meet Him in Galilee.
Death Is Conquered! - One of the greatest human fears is death. But Jesus conquered death, so God's children will be victorious over the grave as well: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55, KJV). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a shout of victory! The shout started early that first Sunday morning when He rose from the dead and continues to this day. No follower of Jesus has anything to dread, especially on the day of their death. Jesus overcame the grave, thanks to His resurrection. He walked away from the tomb. And because He walked away, God's children will do the same on the day of their death! It's not death—it's a passing over into a glorious eternity.