Today’s reading is Matthew 28.
What was the guard going to do? They were on the hook. They didn’t let a prisoner escape. They let a dead guy escape. How does that happen? Instead of going directly to Pilate, they went to the priests who had begged Pilate for them to be put at the tomb. When the priests and elders heard the tale, they decided to bribe the soldiers. Instead of telling everyone an angel rolled the stone away, the soldiers would tell everyone the disciples stole the body. Of course, if Pilate heard these soldiers had failed to keep the disciples away from the body, they would be in big trouble. Perhaps even execution worthy. But the priests and elders gave them money and a promise to smooth it over with the governor. They accepted. The story was told for years, even until Matthew penned his gospel. In fact, it is one of the theories critics and unbelievers claim even today.
Don’t jump past this part of the story too quickly. As we have learned throughout the reading of Matthew, this is another instance in which we realize something must be done with Jesus. We can’t just ignore Him. We have to explain Him. While He lived, He was a lightening rod that cannot be ignored. He taught things, said things, did things that had to be explained. His opponents couldn’t simply ignore Him. They had to explain. They chose some pretty silly explanations like claiming He was possessed by a demon. Now, even after His death, events take place that simply can’t be ignored. Something happened and it needs to be explained.
Perhaps you don’t believe the testimony of the women at the tomb or the apostles or Paul or the 500. Perhaps you simply cannot accept that Jesus rose from the dead. But you cannot ignore Him and that Sunday morning anymore than the soldiers or the priests could. You have to come up with a story to explain what happened. However, not just any story will do. It has to be one that actually fits and works. You have to come up with a reasonable explanation for the growth of a world-dominating religion from a tiny group of people in a backwater region of the Roman Empire whose leader who claimed to be divine was publicly executed. Something happened that prompted that.
For instance, it can’t be one that says apostles stole the body and had it hidden in one of their basements. Folks don’t endure torture, torment, and death for something they know to be a lie. Had they stolen the body, once persecution started, they’d have given it all up. But they hung on to their testimony of resurrection.
Remember this. Something happened. If it isn’t what Matthew claims, what was it? It had to be something.
As I’m sure you’re aware. I’ve determined Matthew was telling the truth. I believe it. It changes my life. If you’d like to talk about that, let us know in the comments below.
Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 28.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- What do you think happened 2000 years ago?
- If Jesus wasn’t resurrected, what happened?
- If Jesus was resurrected, how should we live?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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