Matthew 28

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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Matthew 28:20

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you — the Great Commission is not only evangelistic but formative: the disciples are to make disciples who obey. The everything I have commanded you points back to the full teaching of Matthew's Gospel — the five great discourses, the Sermon on the Mount, the mission instructions, the parables, the community teaching, the eschatological discourse. Matthew's Gospel is the curriculum for the commission: everything in it is the content of the teaching mandate. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age — the final promise fulfills the first name in the Gospel, Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). The Gospel that opened with the announcement of divine presence closes with its guarantee. The risen Jesus who has all authority promises his perpetual accompanying presence to the community that carries his commission — not just until the commission is complete but to the very end of the age.

Community Reflections

Elena Petrova100d ago

NotePresence After Presence

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. The resurrected Jesus's last promise: persistent presence. Not sporadic. Not contingent on your faithfulness. Always. Matthew began with Emmanuel—God with us. He ends with the same theme. The presence isn't just past or future. It's ongoing, continuous, until the very end. I think about what that means practically. It means when I'm failing, Jesus is there. When I'm doubting, Jesus is there. When I'm exhausted and discouraged and wondering if any of this matters, Jesus is there. Not condemning, not checking whether I've earned presence through my behavior. Just present. That promise reorients everything. The Christian life isn't about achieving spiritual heights or getting it right. It's about learning to actually notice and receive the presence that never stops offering itself. The end of Matthew is the beginning of the actual work of faith: learning to…

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Matthew 28:20

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Community Reflections

Elena Petrova100d ago

NotePresence After Presence

Read the note →

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