Matthew 28:8-10: “Death, where is your victory?”

“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee,” Jesus to the women, Matthew 28:10. 

“Death did not overtake Jesus on that Friday. In the Garden He stalked death like a hunter. On the Cross He slew death like a soldier. ‘Fear not those who can kill the body,’ He told us.   And then He went ahead of us.  To show us how it's done. “(Pastor Ronnie Stevens, Danube Intl Church, Budapest, Hungary; Easter 2013) 

“…If you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship.  When we see each other or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking...  But what happens if I change that ‘expectancy’ to an ‘expectation’ – spoken or unspoken?  Suddenly law has entered our relationship.  You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations.  Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements.”  (William P. Young, The Shack, p. 205). 

Even though the women did as they were told by the angel (v. 7), when they departed quickly from the tomb, they were filled with the conflicting emotions of fear and great joy as they ran to tell his disciples (v. 8).    Mark says that the “trembling and astonishment had seized them and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid,” (Mark 16:8).

Maybe this is why Jesus chose then to make his first appearance at this time to the women.  Behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”   And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him, (v. 9).  His appearing to the women and his admonishment, “Do not be afraid,” (v. 10) could very well have been to keep the women on task to “tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead,” (v. 7).   Also, Jesus’ words to the women (“Do not be afraid”) are consistent with how glorified beings speak to God-fearing humans, as noted in the previous devotion. 

Additionally, Jesus does not rebuke the women for worshiping him the way a mere prophet would rebuke worship directed toward himself.  (See Paul’s response to being worshiped in Acts 14:11-15).   Rather, Jesus receives their worship.  This is strong evidence for Jesus seeing Himself as deity, worthy of worship.  When the line is drawn between “worshiper” and “worshipee,” Jesus clearly puts himself on the side of those deserving worship (see also 28:17 and John 20:28).  The women worshiping Jesus here foreshadows all of creation worshiping Christ in Revelation chapter 5. 

Jesus continues: “go and tell my brothers…” (v. 10).   Did you catch that?  Jesus refers to the disciples as brothers.   In spite of their denials and lack of faith, Jesus calls the disciples brothers.   Furthermore, we have Jesus, conqueror of death, glorified in body, very God of very God, speaking of the weak and frightened disciples as brothers.  

What a beautiful picture of grace!    God’s grace is not about your performance or your appearance or your own goodness.   Grace is about drawing near, knowing that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.   Jesus has replaced failed expectations with glad expectancy.  He tells the disciples “to go to Galilee.”   Because “there,” Jesus says, “they will see me,” (v. 10).  He wants to see them there!  He wants to be with them, rejoice with them, fellowship with them.   

The disciples’ certain expectation of condemnation, death and disappointment from Jesus have been replaced with the expectancy of acceptance, forgiveness, relationships and new life.   Is it any wonder that from this point forward the disciples were willing to die for their Master?  What do you project in your relationships: expectancy or expectations? 

Additionally, “He is the first-born among many brothers,” (Romans 8:29).   “If the Spirit of him who raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you,” (Romans 8:11).   The indwelling Spirit in us is “the guarantee of our inheritance,” (Ephesians 1:14), of our own resurrection since he is the “firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20,23) of all who will rise again! 

Death is not the grim reaper ushering us to our grave.  Rather, death is now the butler that ushers us to our greatest love, Jesus.   Death becomes the ceremony where we will put on new wedding clothes.  “The perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on the immortality.” And we shall raise the anthem, “O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).   We will look at each other and declare, “This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!” (Isaiah 25:9).   He has risen!  He has risen indeed!  Hallelujah!