A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Easter Sunday

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-20 (NRSVUE)

I've certainly enjoyed working through Matthew's Gospel during this Lenten Season and I appreciate you following along.  Although Lent ended yesterday, I felt it appropriate to end with the Easter chapter on Easter Sunday.

Matthew has the earth shake when Jesus dies on the cross, so it seems appropriate that the earth shakes again with the resurrection.  This is a cosmic understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection in that even the earth groans under this significant and dynamic event.

We also see the soldiers at the tomb in Matthew stricken with fear.  They were large and in charge when Jesus was crucified as a revolutionary.  But we see a reversal in Matthew.  They are now the dead - or at least appear to be so.

It is a not-so-subtle commentary on the power of God overcoming the earthly power of empire.

The guards' story in verses 11-15 are an early apologetic by Matthew for his community to help downplay rumors that were going around at that time.  The bribes offered and accepted are reminders of Judas and we can see that this doesn't lead to life.

Matthew treats his listeners as mature in that he includes doubt as a part of the response of the disciples to the resurrection.  It would be quite natural to question reality in viewing the risen Lord - especially after the violence that had taken place.  It is not shameful and is a part of faith.

The larger part of faith is to act in spite of one's doubts.  

As they receive the Great Commission, they act upon their faith even though doubt was present.  They declare through the church that resurrection is stronger than violence.  Life overcomes death.

In Matthew, Jesus ends as he began: Emmanuel - God with us.  Christ is with us always.  To the end of the age.

This is how we maintain our faith in the midst of difficulty.  This is how we can embrace righteousness as a way of deeply caring for those on the outside looking in.  This is how we can take the Sermon on the Mount and the parables to heart.

May the risen Christ be with you today and always!

Prayer for the day:

The risen, living Christ calls us by our name;
   comes to the loneliness within us;
   heals that which is wounded within us;
   comforts that which grieves within us;
   releases us from that which has dominion over us;
   cleanses us of that which does not belong to us;
   renews that which feels drained within us;
   awakens that which is asleep in us;
   names that which is still formless within us;
   empowers that which is newborn within us;
   consecrates and guides that which is strong within us;
   restores us to this world which needs us;
   reaches out in endless love to others through us.
The risen, living Christ calls us by our name.

Prayer by Flora Slosson Wuellner, United Church of Christ, 20th Century

Photo by Tim Haynes via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.