Matthew 28:11–15: 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.
These soldiers who were on guard duty went into the city and reported to the chief priests. They didn’t know when Jesus left the tomb. All they knew was that after the stone was rolled away, they took a look inside the tomb, and the body wasn’t there! The entire episode had nearly frightened them to death. They could have been executed for allowing the body of Jesus to disappear under their very eyes. Suppose someone did come and take away the thing he was assigned to guard. And suppose that his explanation to his commanding officer was,“I went to sleep.” What do you think would happen to him? In others words, “Don’t worry if this reaches the ears of the governor. We won’t let him put you before a firing squad.” A bribe aided in persuading them to offer this feeble excuse. This was the first century alibi to explain away the resurrection of Christ. Unbelief has now had 20 centuries to think it over, there are other alibis. None yet have been offered that can explain away the documentary evidence. 1
Your Word is Truth
If we do not tell the truth to others about Jesus, we are no better than a soldier on the take. How will you report to your friends about your relationship with the Risen One?
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves with many sorrows. –1 Timothy 6:10
You Alone are God
Do you have a price for doing wrong, or do you flee at the thought of wrongdoing? – TWEET IT
Your Will be Done
Lord, thank You for leading me not into temptation, but for delivering me from evil.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
