MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

 

Easter Saturday, March 30, 2024

 

MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

 

Matt 27:62-65

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.

64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

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

 

          How would one go about making sure a body stayed in the grave? Joseph of Arimathea had requested the body of Jesus so that it could receive a decent burial and, in so doing, marked himself as a sympathizer.  If Jesus were not “grave-yard-dead,” he would have had ample opportunity to revive Jesus and steal him away. Perhaps he might even wrap another body – or some object that looked like a body to place in his own tomb. However, the wounds in Jesus’ body were mortal wounds; particularly the spear thrust which pierced the pericardium producing blood and water. No, Jesus was dead.

 

          The tomb was made of solid rock! There were no secret doors by which Jesus might make a Houdini escape. A huge wheel-like stone was rolled in its grooved track across the tomb opening. Rolling the stone to the open position meant pushing it up the incline and then scotching with a wedge it to keep it open. This could not be done from inside and certainly not by someone who was mortally wounded and dehydrated. The only way into this tomb was death and the only way out was life!

 

          The Pharisees – ever sticklers for detail – remembered that Jesus predicted his own resurrection. Pilate ordered it sealed and guarded by a detachment of soldiers. Jesus’ followers would have to engage in combat in order to steal the body. No, the body of Jesus would remain in the grave for three days and three nights.

 

          Only God could open this tomb! There was no way out from within and no way in from without! At the opening of the tomb bored soldiers warmed their hands by a small fire and told stories both true and fabled. This was the easiest assignment any soldier could have.

 

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

Dear Lord, now I know that there is no situation, no matter how impossible, that you can’t overcome. Overcome for me today. AMEN