This Sunday we begin a series of sermons that examines how each of the gospel writers handle the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. This week our text is Matthew 28:16-20 typically referred to as “the Great Commission.” From the sermon:

Perhaps the most unique perspective on the resurrected Jesus provided by Matthew is the very last phrase in the text which are the last words of the gospel, “And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” You see when the curtain drops in this first gospel Jesus is still here. There is no ascension in Matthew. There’s no flying away into the clouds like Luke reports. Matthew wants us to know Jesus didn’t die and go away like everyone else we know. The resurrection isn’t a poetic way of saying that the spirit of Jesus lives on as a constant inspiration to us all. That’s a pretty modern, and fairly vanilla, way to view Easter that makes the resurrection as bland as cottage cheese.

Our sermon text for Sunday is one short verse about the wife of Pilate. Recall that she had a disturbing dream about the man Jesus. Here’s a paragraph from Sunday’s sermon.

Instead of a soothing presence, Jesus may be, as he was for Mrs. Pilate, a source of great suffering. Why? Because he whispers things you must forsake or embrace. He reminds you of things that need to be said, or of times you need to keep quiet. He calls us away from peaceful rest to a time of unsettled stirrings that cause us to leave the bed and walk the floor. Remember Jesus wasn’t crucified for being upbeat and affirming. You don’t bring the prophet of positive thinking to a cross. It’s the troublemaker—the agitator who receives crucifixion.