Scripture
The Resurrection
1Early on Sunday morning,[1] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The Report of the Guard
11As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[2] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Translation notes (2)
- 28:1 Greek After the Sabbath, on the first day of the week.
- 28:19 Or all peoples.
52And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[1]
Translation notes (1)
- 10:52 Or on the way.
Perhaps the most incredible part of Bartimaeus' story is his response to his healing. While some may have run off and returned to everyday life, Bartimaeus did not. You see, even more than the change in his eyesight was His changed faith. He could not just return to his normal life. He wanted to follow the One who brought his healing.
Mark 10 tells us that Bartimaeus, a blind man, encountered Jesus and asked for healing. He did not ask in secret or with shame. He shouted over and over for Jesus to help him. When he got Jesus' attention, he was met with mercy and compassion. Jesus told him, "Go, for your faith has healed you," and immediately Bartimaeus could see (verse 52). Now, after saying "Thank you," many would have found family or friends and continued with their lives. This was not the case for Bartimaeus. You see, after experiencing the healing power of Jesus, Bartimaeus could not return to life as usual. He had seen Jesus' power and would never be the same. After his sight was restored, Bartimaeus immediately began following Jesus (verse 52). Jesus changed his life in ways far beyond restoring his sight, and because of that, Bartimaeus followed Him.
The natural response to experiencing the healing power of Jesus is to follow Him. If we have experienced Jesus' power, and we have, then we must follow Him. Part of following Him is continuing His ministry of disciple-making. We know this because, in some of His last moments with His disciples, Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). As His followers, we have the privilege of telling others about Him. We get to invite other people around us to know Christ and experience His hope and healing. May we spend our lives following Him and inviting others to join in the adventure of a lifetime following Him too!
Moving toward Action
Are you following Jesus and making Him known to the people around you? He has been so good to us. We, in turn, get to tell others about the miracles He has performed in our lives. Find one person to share the difference He has made in your life today. Be sure to tell them He is working in their lives, too, and wants to have a relationship with them. You never know the impact this conversation may have!
Going Deeper
Matthew 28:1-20
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