Monday 01 April 2013

Background

The account in Matthew's Gospel of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7) is dramatic: a great (NewInternational Version of the Bible: violent) earthquake; an angeldescending and rolling back the stone; his appearance likelightening. The guards were shaken and become paralysed, but thewomen waited to see what the angel had to say. The message wasexplicit - he is not here, see the evidence, go and tell.

Note that, as they went in fear and in joy, Jesus met themrather than the other way round. Before them stood one withgreetings, 'Chairete' ('rejoice' or 'hail'), and saying "Do not beafraid!" (Matthew 28:5). Matthew's Gospel indicatessubtly the corporeal nature of Jesus: here were real feet of whichto take hold (verse 9)! Significantly, this gesture indicatesworship; it was how subjects of an eastern ruler demonstratedobedience and service.

Matthew's Gospel records the Magi worshipping the infant Jesus(Matthew 2:11), and goes on to note that, whenthe disciples went to Galilee as directed by Jesus, they tooworshipped him (Matthew 28:17). Apart from these incidents inMatthew's Gospel, only at John9:38 is it said that Jesus was worshipped during his earthlylife time. But there were those who doubted (Matthew 28:17) - this was part of the debate inthe Church of Matthew's day.

Only Matthew's Gospel records the plot on the part of thereligious authorities to cover up the events at the tomb (verses11-15), including the payment of 'hush' money to the agents of theoccupying power. For a second time in the story of Jesus' passion,death and resurrection, there is collusion between representativesof religion and representatives of the state. Such collusion is notunheard of in the twenty-first century and it can seriously affectthose who would proclaim the gospel (good news about Jesus). How isit that what is seen by one group of observers at the tomb asincredibly good news is perceived by another group as disastrouslybad news?

To Ponder

• "Jesus met them." How/when has Jesus met you at times of crisisin your life?

• When state and religion collude, it can be disastrous for thosewho challenge the claims of either. This was true for Jesus. How doyou see it in today's world?