Matthew 28

In Mexico, thinking about Jesus.

Couple thoughts on Matthew 28:

1. "new day": When Jesus rose from the dead the dawn of a new era began. Life can never be looked at the same when the Son of God forgives sin, defeats Satan, and triumphs over death. This tri-fold forgiveness, defeat, and triumph in the resurrection of Jesus is essential to any Gospel formulation. Every day is a new day for those who are in Jesus.

2. "this story has been spread": The Gospel writers plugged in the fact that people had different ideas of what happened. I love that Matthew does not ignore the fact that there are others saying other things. He includes the critics in the story. The critics of course pay money to invent new narratives, sadly, people take the Gospel narrative and use it for money.

3. "the eleven": Sad. The reminder of betrayal is still in the story. One is gone. Dead. The reprobate.

4. "all nations": The Gospel is for all. Discipleship is for every tribe an tongue. My brief time in Mexico reminds me of the interconnectedness of humanity. We are all from the same lump. Jesus comes for all. There are no borders for the Gospel. Jesus isn't the white-man's god, nor is he simply the Jewish Messiah, of which He is, He is Lord of all.

5. "worshiped him": The disciples finally recognize the true nature of Jesus--the Godman. The revelation of the Son in the glory of the death and consummate resurrection. The secret is no longer hidden. Jesus is the Messiah. God's Son. Worship belongs to him. This is implicitly trinitarian. So Jesus again let's the secret out even more "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Gospel of John isn't the only Gospel of the Trinity.