We have reached the end of Matthew, which, on Good Friday, seems like it should come with a spoiler alert: Jesus comes back to life! In just twenty verses, we read about the resurrection of Jesus, the responses of some key people, and the Great Commission. There are many things in this chapter worthy of our focus, but I would like to point out two crucial things.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Matthew 28:6, ESV
Jesus did it. He actually did it. Three days after dying on a cross, he rose from the dead, and his tomb was found empty. He defeated death, and he is alive today.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
Matthew 28:17, ESV
As we go through this weekend, where do you have doubts? Major holidays can feel like a chore or like going through the motions sometimes. Maybe you doubt Easter’s value. You know the story – death, burial, resurrection – but is it true? Is it just a story? Maybe you doubt that it even happened. Doubt is normal; we see that even some of Jesus’ followers doubted his return despite seeing him in the flesh. Turn to God. Even if you are without doubt today, God can renew your belief and excitement in the true meaning of Easter. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again – by this we are saved.
VC Devotionals 