READING: Isaiah 11-13; Psalm 118; Matthew 27
Here’s one of those cases where I almost laughed aloud when I read the Word of God. I know it’s not intended to be humorous, but knowing the end of the story makes it almost comical. Here are those words from Matthew 27:
“The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first. ‘Take guards,’ Pilate told them. ‘Go and make it as secure as you know how.’ They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guards.” (Matt 27:62-66)
The religious leaders worked overtime to make sure Jesus’ tomb was secure. They did what they could to make sure the disciples could not steal the body of Jesus and “claim” His resurrection. In fact, Pilate told them to make the tomb “as secure as you know how” – and that’s what makes me laugh.
The people made the tomb as secure as they possibly could, and then they placed guards around it. I can just imagine all their discussions and work to get it right. I can hear them talking as they sealed the tomb, their surely thinking, “This should do it.”
But, it didn’t do it. It wasn’t enough. The seal meant nothing. The stone was not a problem. The guards had no power. God had a plan—and all the plans of the religious leaders to keep Jesus in the tomb were no match for His power.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for the resurrection of Your Son!”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 14-16; Matt 28
