We are mere days (maybe even the same day) from the resurrection. Although we today are 50 some-odd days from Easter and have been in John for 7 weeks, this is an Easter text for Matthew. For a Gospel with so much detail and so many encounters, Matthew’s resurrection is abruptly short. Whereas John and Luke have a few resurrection appearances, Matthew has maybe one and a half. But I think this is intentional. But as I referenced way back in Advent, this is not the final judgment. The final judgment, in Matthew, is when Jesus returns. And so, if this is not the final judgment then there is no reason to linger. Now that the ritual sacrifice is no longer necessary, there is nothing tying discipleship to Jerusalem.[1] This is about the transition of ministry to the disciples who have been taught all they need to know and have received the authority they need. And so, the next leg of work must begin. We are in the final transition of prophetic authority. John and Luke emphasize this next era of faith being driven by the Holy Spirit but that is not explicitly Matthew’s claim. This next era of faith, for Matthew, is the prophetic witness and evangelism of the church. The great commission is that final transition.