Matthew 27:65-66 New Living Translation
Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”
So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
The Pharisees told Pilate “the deceiver”
spoke of rising from the dead in three days.
They knew things would only be worse if his disciples were to steal the
body and then tell everyone he has risen from the dead just as he said. So Pilate replied as shown above. Guards pushed an immense stone in front of
the tomb where Jesus was laid. There are
estimates to the size and weight of the stone in front of the tomb which state
that given the size of the opening of the tomb, the stone may have weighed as
much as 1-1/2 to 2 tons or the weight of a midsized car(1). No single mortal man could have moved it.
It is interesting to me that Jesus was
referred to as “the deceiver” by those who opposed him. A deceiver is someone
who purposely misleads others into believing something that is not true. So
strong was their belief that Messiah would be a warrior king who would rescue
the Jews from Roman Rule that they dismissed Jesus as nothing more a liar who
was deceiving their people. Today it’s
really no different. The best you might get is that Jesus was a good man or a
teacher, but folks shy away from his being God’s Son. Those who ignore his true identity simply
haven’t spent any time in scripture. Their ignorance is their downfall; the
same of it was for the religious leaders of Jesus day.
God’s plan to offer forgiveness to all
of mankind could not be thwarted in any way.
A single angel moved the stone and the rest unfolded as it was
foretold. Christ’s resurrection is the
single most astounding and revealing event in all of history. It put an exclamation point at the end of God’s
plan and thus provided redemption for anyone who would seek it. Salvation isn’t a blanket pardon, but rather
a free offer, a gift that must be sought and received. Once salvation has been received the soul is
cleansed of all sin and a new life begins. Emulate Christ in your life and
leave sin’s baggage behind for good.
Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible and the American Heritage Dictionary.
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