The Women Are to Tell Jesus' Brethren

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Matthew 28:10b
Psalters: 381, 129, 29, 268
  1. Jesus appeared to the women who had gone to His tomb and found it empty.
    1. They went to the tomb to perform what they thought was the last deed of loving care.
    2. They were surprised to find the stone rolled away and heard an angel proclaim the resurrection gospel.
    3. As they returned to the city Jesus suddenly meets them: ?All hail? (9a).
      1. Jesus speaks to them, assuring them that they have no reason to be afraid.
      2. Then He tells them to tell His brethren where to meet Him: ?in Galilee? (cf 26:32; John 21:1; I Cor. 15.6; Mt. 28:16).
      3. Jesus wants them to know He is risen, for this is the cornerstone of faith: Rom. 1:3,4; 4:24; 10:9; I Cor. 15:14.
  2. Jesus identifies the ones He wants to be told as ?brethren.?
    1. This means that He does not call them what they really were.
    2. The name, ?brethren,? identifies a relationship.
      1. They were in a relationship with their elder Brother, which implies they had a relationship with His and their Father.
      2. We are assured of this close relationship though our circumstances may seem very dark.
    3. It is exactly Jesus? resurrection which makes it possible for us to be adopted as children of the heavenly Father.
  3. Know and enjoy the beautiful significance.
    1. As Jesus? brethren we may enjoy many things with Him.
      1. We have the same Father.
      2. We have the same inheritance of salvation and eternal life.
      3. He who calls us His brethren is Ruler and Lord of all.
    2. Today Jesus addresses us the same way.
      1. Through Jesus? resurrection you have Him as your elder Brother and God as your Father.
      2. No matter how many your sins or evil your heart, you are Jesus? siblings and God?s children forever.