There can be no doubt that the resurrection accounts are the most challenging passages in all of the Gospels. Whereas most of the parallel passages in the Gospels dovetail together rather nicely, the four resurrection passages are rather messy things that really defy facile harmonization. I have seen a harmonization attempt that seeks to show that none of the four resurrection accounts contradicts the other, but one has to admit that in the end that effort is rather unconvincing. I don't know what the resurrection passages do to our evangelical doctrines of Scripture, but I do know that they show a world turned upside down and transformed after Jesus comes back to life. Matthew is not afraid to let us know that some doubted. But he also is eager to let us know that for those who believed everything was gloriously transformed. Think about it. On Friday, Jesus was killed by a powerful political alliance that combined the Temple authorities with their usual enemies the Romans. On Good Friday, it seemed that Jesus took on some powerful people and paid dearly. Now, after the resurrection, Jesus says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." On Good Friday, the disciples were in hiding. Now, they have a mission to the world. "Go and make disciples..." On Good Friday, and the day that followed, the disciples were alone. Jesus, with whom they had walked for three years, was taken from them. Now, He is with them always "even to the end of the world."
The events surrounding the resurrection defied easy historical description because they forever turned the world upside down. Don't let the chaos of the events lead to doubt. Instead, see the glorious transformation that is made in the lives of those who believe.
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