But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). No event is more critical to Christianity than our Lord’s resurrection; its historicity is the fact upon which our faith stands or falls.
Who saw Jesus first?
I would say that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Jesus. I base this on Mark 16:9 because there it specifically says that Mary Magdalene was specifically the first person to see the risen Jesus. John 20:14 is consistent with this opinion.
Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:11-15)
The Pharisees and chief priests had Pilate seal Jesus’ tomb so that His disciples would not steal His body and claim that He rose from the dead (Matthew 27:62–66). Yet when Jesus was resurrected (28:1–10), His opponents did not repent; rather, they concocted a tale of theft to deceive Israel (vv. 11–15), preferring to save face instead of admitting the truth.
Matthew Henry says that the best evidence will not convince people unless the Holy Spirit is working within them.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:16-20)
The Great Commission is Jesus' last earthly message to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. While we thank the Lord for His direction even today, this is the core message he wants His disciples to remember as his parting command.
What is a Disciple?
A person who is disciplined in following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the words of Jesus (Matthew 4:19).
What is Disciple making?
Disciple making is entering into spiritual relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20). It’s essentially spiritual parenting by giving personal attention and Christian guidance. Making disciples means getting involved with people. You just don’t attend a service and disappear as soon as the service ends. This is the basis of a J-12 leader in Karuna Sadan.
Today, the church runs many good initiatives and there is nothing wrong with that. However, the truth is that failure to make disciples and be a disciple is failure at the foundation level.
Reason #1:
Why don't most Christians make disciples?
This is because they themselves have never been discipled.
Reason #2:
Why don't most Christians make disciples?
This is because making disciples involves moving out of your comfort zone; it involves work.
God wants us to have the good things of life. However, when the commands of Christ take a back seat to comfort, then comfort becomes an idol. The comfort of life should not make a Christian mission lazy.
If the reason a Christian is not making disciples is because they are too busy with other non-mission related activities, then they are silently communicating a message to the Lord that “their things” are more important than His mission.
The Good Samaritan’s love moves him to act and save the man left wounded on the side of the road.(Luke 10:33-34) If you love the Lord, you will love His people and this will compel you to help them and guide them in the ways of God.
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