Go make the tomb secure

Go make the tomb secure

Scripture:

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ⁶³ “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ⁶⁴ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

⁶⁵ “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Observation:

Just the next day after Jesus’ death, the chief priest and Pharisees quickly go to Pilate to ask the governor to secure the tomb, fearing that his disciples would come and steal the body and tell people Jesus had raised from the dead. This was because they remembered Jesus declaring how he would rise again after 3 days. Still thinking Jesus was a deceiver, they were worried that the last deception of his resurrection would be even worse.

Pilate agreed to their request and allowed them to take a guard to secure the tomb. Quickly, they posted guards at the tomb and put a seal on the stone. How feeble indeed were their attempts in the face of the might and power of God!

What was the mindset of the chief priests and Pharisees after the event? Jesus’ disciples had scattered and full of fear. In the chief priests and Pharisee’s minds though was that chilling prophecy by Jesus that He would rise again in 3 days. Apparently, they understood that the sign of Jonah that Jesus spoke of referred to Him rising again after 3 days. When Jesus died, the signs of the torn curtain, the earthquake and breaking open of tombs would not have been lost on the chief priests. The general atmosphere among them could have been one of apprehension, and some were perhaps wondering if they had really crucified the Son of God. Against this backdrop, they decided to make doubly sure such a thing would not happen by asking for guards to be placed at the tomb.                                

Application:

Praise God that Jesus is alive! No elite guard or Pharisee or teacher of the law could put a lid on Jesus. Even after all the events at the cross, the stubborn Pharisees still did not believe, and even thought they could foil Jesus’ plan by lobbying Pilate to give them guards to watch the Lord’s body!  

The Word of God in us is like that. It is living and active, bubbling and preparing to burst forth. Others might try to put a lid on it. Authorities may try to stamp it out by violence or other means, but no one can stop God’s Word from spreading. Under tremendous persecution, the church grows, as can be seen in Early Rome, and even in China in recent years. When we receive the Lord into our hearts and allow Him to quicken us, the new man in us also comes to life, bubbling over and ready to testify of God’s goodness and love in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

We praise You and thank You, Lord Jesus, that despite all men’s evil intentions, they could not keep you down. With great power, You raised again from the dead, bringing life to all who believe in You. Let that resurrection life also flow through me O Lord, bringing life like a river to those whom You call me to. Let my faith ever grow and blossom in YoU O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.