Your Kingdom Come—The Gospel of Matthew

The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10)

Paul McIlwraith

April 9, 2023

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. Discuss with your group the dissonance you may feel between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Why is the metaphor of a “fog” lifting between Good Friday and Easter Sunday a fitting descriptor?
2. Describe an event that you were so excited to attend and willing to wait in line and it was worth it. Have you ever waited for something in anticipation and it turned out to be a non-event or anti-climatic? Describe your feelings in both situations. Why do you think the majority of Jesus’ followers did not wait at his tomb in anticipation of his resurrection even though he predicted it?
3. Have you ever had someone tell you, “Don’t worry”? Did it work? Did you stop worrying because you were told not to worry? Why do you think the angel told the women at the tomb not to be afraid? Do you think that his proclamation that Jesus had risen from the dead, alleviate their fear?
4. Why was the angel’s exhortation for the women followers of Jesus to “Come and See” the empty tomb so important for their understanding of the resurrection? What was the significance of the angel’s second exhortation to the women, “Go and Tell”?
5. How do you think you will respond on that day when you finally meet Jesus, face to face?
6. Although it is brief, the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection gives us some important reminders for our lives. Discuss what each of these reminders mean to your life. Are you truly living with an empty tomb, resurrection perspective?



• We have a resurrection perspective on life.
• We have resurrection power for our lives.
• The resurrection protects us from the evil one’s schemes.
• The resurrection gives us a purpose for life.
     

Prayer and Action Item

Pray for one another out of the key points that were discussed. Are you truly living with an empty tomb, resurrection perspective? If not, surrender those things that are getting in your way and embrace the power of Jesus’ resurrection for your life.