By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Matthew 28:1-15

“He is not here: for he is risen…” (Matthew 28:6a)

By Rev. Ron Purkey

Matthew 28 is all about the Lord Jesus Christ. It records “The resurrection of the king” and forms the great climax to the Gospel story.

First, The Importance of Christ’s Resurrection. (1) It proves he is the son of God (John 10:17-18), (2) It attests to the truth of scripture (see Acts 2:31 with Psalm 16:10), and (3) It assures us of our own future resurrection when we die (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Second, The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-10). The empty grave clothes lying in the tomb were in the shape of the body of Christ, like an empty cocoon. This proves his body was not stolen, but that he arose through the grave clothes and left them behind as testimonies of a miracle. If his body were stolen, it was stolen by either friends or enemies. If by enemies, they would have produced it and silenced the disciples. If by friends, they would not have willingly given their lives for a lie, and his friends did not even believe that he would rise from the dead!

Third, The Proof Of Christ’s Resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15). (1) The resurrection of Christ is an accepted historical fact, and the person who questions or denies it must offer the proof that he did not arise from the dead. The same Satan who tried to destroy Christ on the cross now wants men to believe that he is still dead! It was Satan, the liar, who was the author of the conspiracy between the Jews and the soldiers in Matthew 28:11-15.

(2) Eyewitnesses testified that they had seen Christ (Luke 24:33-36; John 20:19, 26; Acts 1:3, 21-22). At one time, over 500 people saw Christ alive (1 Corinthians 15:6). Some unbelievers say these early witnesses were “hypnotized” or they suffered from “self-imposed hallucinations.” But it would be impossible for 500 people at one time to be hypnotized or to suffer hallucinations.

(3) The change in the early believers proves he arose from the dead. When you stop to think that Peter and the other apostles didn’t expect the resurrection, the remarkable change in their lives proves that they must have met Christ. Peter was a frightened coward one day and a mighty preacher a few weeks later!

(4) Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) proves that Christ was alive. No “delusion” or “myth” could change this dedicated Jewish rabbi into a fiery Christian preacher.

(5) The existence of the New Testament, the continuation of the church, and the significance of the Lord’s day are all proofs that Christ is alive.

(6) Of course, the best proof is the conversion of a sinner. “You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart!”

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.