Matthew 28 - 8.30.24
SCRIPTURE:
"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.' Now I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7
OBSERVATION:
This story starts off with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary going to look at the tomb where Jesus' body had been laid. A violent earthquake took place because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. This angel of the Lord speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and exercises the responsibilities of God. In several other appearances, those who saw the angel of the Lord feared for their lives because they had 'seen the Lord'. The angel's appearance was like lighting and His clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of Him that they shook and became like dead men. It is clear that the angel of the Lord is a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form. (GotQuestions.org).
Jesus declared Himself to be existent "before Abraham", so it is logical that He would be active and manifest in the world. Whatever the case, whether the angel of the Lord was pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus or an appearance of God, it is highly likely that the phrase 'the angel of the Lord" usually identifies a physical appearance of God.
Just as Jesus promised, He rose from the dead! His bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler of God's eternal kingdom. And just as Jesus body was resurrected, with that same power our dead bodies will come back to life to be with God forever!
APPLICATION:
Thank You God for revealing Yourself to me. Thank you for the ones you sent to share the gospel with me. I can remember the joy that filled my heart the day I heard the Good News, and that my sins were forgiven! Help me to be a good witness of Your love so that as I partner with you, many more will come to know You.
PRAYER:
I pray for boldness and confidence to share the gospel with those You put in my path. Jesus, You have risen from the dead, and I can attest to that because You are now living in my heart! You alone have the power to save the lost! Because of that, I pray that I will be willing, ready, and available to share the Good News about Your great love.
- Robin Orefice
