WAITING AND WATCHING!

WAITING AND WATCHING!

Matt 27:62-63

62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

          The Pharisees never missed a single detail of the message of Jesus. They analyzed and studied each declaration and prophecy but not so they could believe and receive it. No, the Pharisees studied Jesus so they could counter and ruin everything Jesus was trying to do. Ultimately it was decided that He should be killed – but not on the Sabbath – so they killed him just hours before. How could they know that His dying would coincide with the evening sacrifice?

          Now Jesus was dead and could not trouble them further. Then one of them remembered that Jesus predicted that after three days He would raise from the dead. And, thinking that all men were as devious as themselves, they imagined the disciples stealing the body and claiming a resurrection. To prevent that from happening, they begged Pilate for a guard to make sure Jesus stayed dead and in the tomb. It was granted.

          Those who watched and guarded the tomb must have thought this to be the easiest and most boring of assignments. This was not to quell a riot but to watch a tomb. This was a piece of cake! And they thought so right up until the angel appeared to roll the stone away! “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” Matt 28:3-4

          Today is a day of watching and waiting. The Pharisees watched in fear that they would be discovered in their evil and error. The guards watched with little interest while the disciples waited in despair. But it began to dawn! For the Pharisees it was a day of defeat. For the guards it was a day of amazement and for the disciples it was a day of joy!

Rev 21:5

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

Dear Lord, today we wait in our infirmity till you give us health. Today we wait in ugliness until you give us beauty. Today we wait in confusion until you give us purpose. Today we wait and the silence is deafening! Tomorrow we break forth in song. AMEN