Day 10; Crucifixion, Resurrection, Always

We think we know the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.  In Matthew, Mark and Luke, at least, the stories are very similar (and John does contains a fair amount of similarities as well, but we'll deal with that later).  In all four gospels, Peter denies Jesus.  In all three gospels, Jesus is tried by both the religious and Roman authorities.  In all three gospels, Jesus dies at 3:00 in the afternoon, and darkness covers the earth from noon until 3:00. 

In all three gospels, Jesus is buried in a tomb which is then sealed with a huge stone. 

But there are a few details in Matthew worth noting:

Pilate's wife has a minor role in the story:  she has a dream (there are those dreams again) and warns Pilate that he should have nothing to do with the Galilean.

As well, the shouts of "Crucify him!" that the crowds shout so lustily are matched by another cry from the crowd, "His blood be on us and on our children."  Unfortunately, this cry, unique to Matthew, has been used to persecute Jews as "Christ-killers" for centuries.   But what is the lesson in the the cries of the fickle crowd?  Not to try to figure out who is to blame, but to realize that we all are to blame.

After Jesus dies (only in Matthew), the graves of many holy people are opened up and the dead are raised up.  They walk around the city for the weekend, it appears.  What do you think that is about?

And after the stone is rolled in front of the tomb, Pilate puts two guards in front of it so that no one may come and steal Jesus'body.  This detail as well:  only in Matthew.  Early in chapter 28, those guards are immobilized when Jesus really does rise from the dead.

At the end of chapter 28, Jesus meets his disciples on a mountain.  If you haven't noticed, mountains figure in the book of Matthew.  From the Sermon on the Mount until now, important things happen on mountains.  On the mountain Jesus reveals himself.  On the mountain, the disciples believe (but some doubt).

On the mountain now, after his resurrection, Jesus does not have a long sermon with many instructions and laws to keep.  Instead, he tells them to go and make disciples -- that's all.  And he gives them a promise -- that he will be with them always.   It turns out he really is Emmanuel.

But what does it all mean?  Why is it so important that Jesus is with us?  To what end?  Just what do you think he's trying to teach us, who is he trying to make us into?