Go and Tell

April 24, 2011

Background Scripture: Matthew 28
Lesson Passage: Matthew 28

Go and tell. Is it a suggestion or is it a mandate? Is it for all Christians at all times or is it just for the first century apostles? Or perhaps it’s just for those called of God to be preachers. The answers to these questions will probably not change how we look at the twenty eighth chapter of Matthew’s gospel but the answers will change how we view ourselves relative to it. As Matthew closes out his account of the gospel, the final chapter begins with a brief historical summary of what happened on the first Easter Sunday morning. (The parallel accounts of the gospel help us fill in the details.) Some very faithful women who had followed Jesus and ministered to his needs went to the place of his burial with the intent of anointing his body with ointments as was customarily done in that day by the Hebrews. In fact, this was after the time it normally would have been done because there was insufficient time to do so between his dead body being removed from the cross and the need to bury him before sunset because it was the start of the Jewish Sabbath. According to Jewish law, the land would have become defiled if the body was not quickly buried before sundown. But once the Sabbath was over, these women were determined to complete the process out of respect for Jesus. On the way there, they wondered who would assist them to remove the heavy stone that had been placed over the opening of the tomb so that they could gain access to his body. That question was soon answered and replaced by others. They were greeted at the tomb by an angel who was seated on the stone which had already been removed from the opening. The angel assured the women that they should not be afraid of him and the best part was that Jesus, whom they sought, was not there but had indeed risen from the dead even as he said he would. The angel invited the women to look inside the tomb and note that it was empty. Then he sent them to carry this good news to Jesus’ disciples and to inform them that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. As they left the tomb with mixed emotions, the morning got even better. Jesus met them as they went and greeted them. After exchanging greetings, they worshiped him. Then Jesus sent them on their way to inform his disciples and let them know that he would meet them in Galilee. Matthew closes out this last chapter and his account of the gospel by relating what happened at the meeting between Jesus and his disciples in Galilee. They worshiped him even in the midst of some of them having doubts of what it all meant. Jesus declared to them that he had been given all authority in heaven and in the earth. Then he instructed them to do three things. They were instructed to go and make disciples of all people, to teach those disciples what he had taught them, and then to teach them to continuously repeat the process. And this was sealed with the promise that Jesus would be with them all the way to the end of the world (or time). I believe that a careful review of Matthew’s account answers the questions asked at the beginning. The process continues to be repeated and new disciples are being made. Whether you consider it a mandate, a mission, or just a privilege, it all starts by going and telling the good news of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.

Robert C. Hudson
April 15, 2011

Praise the Lord

April 17, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 11:1 – 11
Lesson Passage: Mark 11:1 – 11

Today’s lesson provides the historical background for the celebration of Palm Sunday. This event took place at the beginning of the Passover week as Jesus prepared to participate in his final Passover meal with his disciples. This week is better known to Christians today as Passion Week. The lesson passage was taken from the Gospel of Mark, however, this event is attested to by all four writers of the gospel account. According to the gospel writers, Jesus made his grand entrance into Jerusalem in the fashion of a king with one twist of humility (or irony), he would not be riding a princely mount or a warhorse but instead a young donkey or beast of burden. This was even as it had been prophesied by Zechariah about five centuries prior. This was an unusual entrance for a king. Also unusual about this is the fact that Jesus himself had orchestrated it all. Jesus had been keeping a low profile and avoiding Jerusalem prior to this event. But for this occasion, he sent two of his disciples to retrieve the young donkey. He told them which village to go to and how to recognize the particular beast chosen for the occasion. Any beast would not do but it had to be the one that had not been ridden and was preordained for this moment. Those standing by when the disciples went to retrieve the colt questioned them but they answered as Jesus had instructed them to, the master has need of him. They apparently had nothing further to ask or say about the matter and the disciples took the colt and returned to Jesus with it. They covered the animal with items of clothing and Jesus sat upon it and began to make his entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem. As Jesus made his grand entrance into Jerusalem, many went before him and others followed. They all cheered him on. Those who went before placed palm branches and items of clothing in his path as part of the celebration. The palm branches were used historically as a sign of military victory although this hero was coming in humility as the Prince of Peace. The people cried out in recognition of Jesus by using his messianic title “Son of David”. They accepted Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy concerning David’s son once again ruling Israel as their king. King David had held God and the temple in high esteem; this fulfillment of prophecy would do no less. Jesus led the procession to the temple where he inspected it and left Jerusalem and returned to Bethany because it was evening. The next day he returned and cleansed the temple of the money changers and declared that the temple’s intended purpose is to be a house of prayer. Although many had come to Jerusalem for the Passover week celebration and therefore joined in on this celebration as well, yet there were those among the religious leaders who scoffed at what Jesus was doing and were repulsed by it. While the leaders complained, others seized the moment and realized what God was doing and join the praise for their messiah. At least for that Sunday, many were willing to forget about their daily cares and just praise the Lord.

Robert C. Hudson
April 6, 2011