Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Matthew 28:11-15 (NKJV) Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
THE VIEW OF THE TOMB: FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE JEWISH LEADERS
The blindness of unbelief is striking, isn't it? Blind men had their eyes washed out with mud Jesus made from spit and dirt -- and saw again. Dead men were raised and remained as living proof of Jesus' power over death. The Jewish leaders had tangible proof of Jesus' godhead in three years worth of miracles He did, but all they could do was suggest that such things only proved Jesus was in league with the devil!
When the shaken Roman soldiers returned into the city they didn't head back to the barracks or to speak with their superiors. They went to the chief priests. They could be in deep trouble if they were found negligent in their duties.
Notice that the Chief Priests didn't marvel. They aren't reported as having wondered about what really happened. They immediately set to work putting their own spin on the resurrection of Jesus. They set out to "fix" the problem created for them by Jesus' resurrection from the dead. They used money and lies.
The resurrection of Jesus is a truth that no money can hide and no lie can disprove. Jesus rose from the dead the third day and showed Himself alive to many different believers under many different circumstances. When He comes again, no spin doctor will cast doubt on the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord.
No. Jesus' dead body was not stolen from the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea by the disciples. He rose from the dead bodily and those who by faith see the proofs left in the tomb are not the least concerned with the machinations of the unbelieving.
Jesus rose from the dead and we too will rise. Hallelujah!
