What does worshiping Jesus in Matthew 28:17 teach us about His divine nature? Seeing the Risen Lord “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17) • The disciples meet Jesus on the mountain in Galilee just as He directed (v. 16). • At the sight of the resurrected Christ, their spontaneous response is worship—the highest act of reverence a human can offer. What “Worship” Means • The Greek word is proskuneō—to fall prostrate, to kiss toward, to adore. • In Scripture this posture is reserved for God alone (Psalm 95:6; Exodus 34:14). • By recording that they worshiped Jesus without rebuke, the text affirms His worthiness of divine honor. Jesus Accepts Worship Repeatedly • “Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 14:33) • “Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped Him.” (John 9:38) • The resurrected women “took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9) Jesus never corrects these acts, underscoring His identity as more than a mere man. Contrast: Created Beings Refuse Worship • Peter to Cornelius: “Stand up… I am only a man myself.” (Acts 10:25-26) • An angel to John: “Do not do that!… Worship God!” (Revelation 19:10) • Holy beings know worship belongs exclusively to God; Jesus’ acceptance sets Him apart from every creature. Old-Testament Guardrails Against False Worship • “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another.” (Isaiah 42:8) • “You must not worship any other god.” (Exodus 34:14) If the Father withholds glory from all false gods, yet shares it with Jesus, the clear conclusion is that Jesus is true God. The Father Commands Worship of the Son • “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” (Hebrews 1:6) • “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) Heaven itself joins earth in recognizing the Son’s full deity. Implications for Jesus’ Divine Nature • Equality with the Father—receives the same honor due to Yahweh. • Eternal existence—only the uncreated can rightly claim worship from all creation (Revelation 5:13-14). • Sovereign authority—His right to issue the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) flows from His divine identity. Responding Today • Worship is more than a song; it is surrender to the risen Lord who shares the Father’s throne. • Confidence grows: the Jesus who commissions us is fully God, fully able to save and keep us. |
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