Bible Reading: Matthew 28
Matthew 28:13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
The chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate after Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in Joseph’s tomb and asked that a guard be posted outside the tomb. They knew that Jesus had said that he would rise again after three days. They wanted to make sure that his disciples did not come and steal away the body. Pilate granted them a group of guards to watch the tomb day and night and they put a seal on the tomb so they would know if it was opened.
It is interesting that the chief priests and the Pharisees called Jesus ‘that deceiver’. The Bible says:
Matthew 28:2-4 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.
The men who were watching the tomb saw what happened when the angel came and rolled back the stone. They were scared to death! They went and reported these events to the chief priests.
Matthew 28:11-15 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.
Who is the deceiver? Certainly not Jesus! He is the truth (John 14:6). These men saw exactly what happened and yet they took money and circulated a lie! It is too bad, but many people look right at Jesus and hear his story and do not believe. While these liars were told to, “Say ye…”; true disciples of Jesus are told to say ye the truth! We are told to tell people the story of Jesus with clarity and grace. Let people know exactly what happened. There is an empty tomb not because the body was stolen away from some very powerful and well trained Roman soldiers by a bunch of Galilean fishermen, but because Jesus is risen from the dead! He is alive and he is Lord!
In Christ,
Rody
