Reflecting on Matthew 28:1-10
“They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.” (Matthew 28:9)
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)
As a Jesus follower, I sometimes shift between confidence and doubt.
I probably relate more to the male disciples than the female ones.
Remember, the male disciples fled, but these women stayed close.
The Marys’ refuse to let go, the remaining 11 still doubt.
These two Mary’s are the first to see Jesus.
They are also the first witnesses to the good news of the resurrection.
Their testimony, not valued in their patriarchal world, is put first.
It would not lend credibility to their Christian message.
But it does lend credibility to Jesus, in my opinion.
Throughout the gospels, the women seem to shine.
The men on the other hand, are a mixture of bumbling bravado.
Some people say Jesus chose 12 men to assert male headship.
It seems more likely to me He chose men because they needed more help.
Doubting to the very end!
Yet as choosing these women to be first shows grace…
So choosing these doubting men as His apostles also shows grace.
Jesus raises up the humbled women with grace.
Jesus brings down the doubting men with grace.
And together they all stand as equals by grace alone.
Jesus welcomes all, men and women, as His evangelists.
Women are also sent ones (‘apostolos’): “Go and tell!” (Matthew 28:10)
All disciples, men and women, are called to “Go!” ( Matthew 28:19)
We are witnesses to our experience of Jesus, with or without doubts.
In both verses we read that they “worshiped” Jesus.
We hear this as God-worship, and filter it through our lens of church worship.
But the word ‘proskuneo’ means to fall face down in humility and adoration.
This is only natural when you meet someone who was dead, back alive!
They were responding to their life-changing encounter with Jesus!
Paul had a similar life-changing encounter with the risen Jesus (Acts 9:3-4).
Our witness is not spreading bible knowledge or theological truth.
Our witness is not telling people about church, or bringing them there.
Our witness is not convincing people to believe our version of christianity.
Our witness is telling others about our Jesus experience.
What we have seen, heard and experienced relating to Jesus.
What we understand and what we don’t, our confidence and our doubt.
The strength of our witness is not in us.
It is in the sincerity of our witness, and in the power of the Spirit.
We are called to testify, the Spirit of Jesus will convince!
Male, female, young, old, educated, uneducated, strong and weak!
Jesus is calling me to “Go and tell!” (Matthew 28:10)
The question for me is ‘what Jesus experience can I go and tell about?’
‘How have I experienced the risen Jesus, how has He impacted me?’
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, despite my own mix of faith and doubt, I fall down before You in humility and adoration, and sense You lifting me up and calling me… weak as I am… to go and tell!
My experience with You has changed, and is changing my life. I want others to experience You this way. I will “go and tell” people about You!
I am celebrating my 80th birthday soon and also my 55 anniversary. To celebrate God’s goodness in my life I put a slide program together to show my kids and grandkids how God has used me in His kingdom service AND remind me of how He has guided me and lifted me up during the years of living in His Sonshine. By my words and deeds I need to share with others how my God changed my life giving me the confidence and abilty to serve Him in places where I never dared or dreamed to go. And so I will continue to tell His story, God helping always.