Matthew 28; Mark 1-2

Matthew 28

The Resurrection 

• After the Sabbath at dawn Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb
• A great earthquake occurs
• An angel of the Lord descends, rolls back the stone, and sits on it
  • His appearance:
    • like lightning
    • clothing white as snow
• The guards tremble and become like dead men
• The angel tells the women:
  • “Do not be afraid”
  • Jesus is not here..He has risen!
  • invites them to see the empty tomb
  • instructs them to tell the disciples He will meet them in Galilee
• As they go:
  • Jesus meets them personally
    • Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”  χαίρετε (chaírete) (also means Rejoice!)
  • they take hold of His feet and worship Him
• Jesus repeats the instruction from angel: go tell “my brothers” to go to Galilee

The Guard’s Report 

• Some of the guards report to the chief priests what happened
• Religious leaders gather and devise a plan:
  • give soldiers a large sum of money
  • instruct them to say: “His disciples came by night and stole Him while we were asleep”
• They promise to protect the soldiers from punishment
• This story spreads among the Jews

The Great Commission

• The eleven disciples go to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus designated (unsure)
• When they see Him:
  • they worship Him
  • but some still doubt (cough Thomas)
• Jesus declares: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me”
• He gives the commission:
  • Go
  • Make disciples of all nations
  • Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  • Teach them to obey all He commanded
• He promises: “I am with you always, to the end of the age”

Mark 1

Author: John Mark, traditionally understood to be writing from Peter’s eyewitness preaching. (Peter calls Mark his son in 1 Peter 5:13)

• Mark moves fast. You see words like “immediately” again and again.
• Unlike Matthew, Mark gives less long teaching material and more action, showing what Jesus does.
• Mark opens with Jesus’ public ministry, skipping the birth narrative. 

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

• Mark announces right away who Jesus is:
  • Jesus = fully human
  • Christ = fully Messiah
  • Son of God = fully divine 
• “Gospel” means good news εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion)

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face…”

• Mark connects Jesus to OT prophecy saying John the Baptist is preparing the way for the Lord.
  • Malachi 3:1
  • Isaiah 40:3
• John’s ministry is in the wilderness, and he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
• People from Jerusalem and Judea came out to him confessing sins.
• John was not the Christ; he pointed to One greater:
  • John baptizes with water
  • Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit

Jesus comes from Nazareth in Galilee

• He is baptized by John in the Jordan
• Immediately:
  • heavens are torn open
  • Spirit descends like a dove
• The Father speaks:
  • “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased”

The temptation in the wilderness

• Mark says the Spirit drove Him out …strong wording.
• 40 days:
  • tempted by Satan
  • with wild animals
  • angels minister to Him

Jesus Begins His Ministry

• After John is arrested:
  • Jesus comes to Galilee preaching
• Core message:
  • “The time is fulfilled”
  • “The kingdom of God is at hand”
  • “Repent and believe in the gospel”

Calling the First Disciples

• Jesus calls fishermen:
  • Simon (Peter) and Andrew
  • James and John
• His call:
  • “Follow Me”
  • “I will make you fishers of men”
• Their response is to immediately leave nets, boat, and family

Authority in Teaching and Over Demons

• In Capernaum synagogue Jesus teaches with authority (not like scribes)
• A man with an unclean spirit cries out: “I know who You are—the Holy One of God”
• Jesus:
  • rebukes the spirit
  • casts it out
• Result:
  • amazement spreads
  • His fame grows

Healing Many

• Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law:
  • fever leaves her and she begins serving
• That evening:
  • many sick and demon-possessed brought to Him
  • He heals many
  • casts out demons
  • does not allow demons to speak (they know Him)

Jesus Prays and Expands Ministry

• Early morning: Jesus goes to a desolate place to pray
• Disciples look for Him
• Jesus responds:
  • “Let us go on… that I may preach there also”
  • “For that is why I came out”
• He continues preaching in synagogues and casting out demons

Cleansing of a Leper

• A leper approaches: “If You will, You can make me clean”
• Jesus:
  • moved with compassion
  • touches him
  • “I will; be clean”
• Immediately leprosy leaves him
• Jesus instructs:
  • say nothing
  • show yourself to the priest
• The man instead:
  • spreads the news widely
  • crowds increase

Jesus stays in desolate places

Mark 2

The Paralytic Forgiven and Healed

• Jesus returns to Capernaum to a house packed with people
• Four men bring a paralytic:
  • unable to enter so they remove roof
  • lower him down to Jesus
• Jesus sees their faith: “Son, your sins are forgiven”
• Scribes think: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
• Jesus responds:
  • knows their thoughts
  • Asks which is easier: to heal someone or forgive their sins
  • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”
• He commands the man: “Rise, take up your bed, and walk”
• Man walks out and crowd amazed and glorifies God

The Calling of Levi (Matthew)

• Jesus calls Levi the tax collector:
• Levi rises and follows
• Jesus eats in Levi’s house with many tax collectors and sinners present
• Scribes question: “Why does He eat with sinners?”
• Jesus answers:
  • “Those who are well have no need of a physician”
  • “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”

Question About Fasting

• People ask why do John’s disciples and Pharisees fast, but Yours do not?
• Jesus responds:
  • compares Himself to a bridegroom
  • while He is present there is no fasting
  • when He is taken away then they will fast
• Illustrations:
  • new patch on old garment leads to tearing
  • new wine in old wineskins leads to bursting
• Point: Jesus brings something new, not just a fix to the old

Lord of the Sabbath

• Disciples pick grain on the Sabbath
• Pharisees accuse unlawful behavior
• Jesus responds with example of David eating consecrated bread
• Key teaching:
  • “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”
  • “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath”

Application

We end Matthew with the commissioning of the disciples to go into the world and share the good news. He promises that He will be with us. Mark 1-2 gives us a rush of Jesus’s ministry showing that He is the Messiah, the Healer, the Lord of the Sabbath.