It was the day after Jesus was crucified. His body lay in a tomb. But the chief priests and Pharisees who has engineered His crucifixion had the uneasy feeling that this might not be the end of the Jesus story. So they went to Pilate and told him that Jesus’ disciples might steal His body to try to convince the people that He had fulfilled His prediction to rise from the grave. Pilate responded, “You have a guard; go your way, make [the tomb] as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65).
A guard was posted and the tomb was secured with an official Roman seal (v. 66). The religious and political leaders did their very best to make sure that the body of Jesus remained in the tomb, but they were attempting the impossible. Death could not hold the sinless Son of God in its grasp, and on the third day He arose just as He said He would (20:19; 27:63; 28:1-8).
After the resurrection, the chief priests bribed the soldiers and told them to spread a ridiculous story about the disciples stealing the body (28:11-14). Still today skeptics offer one fanciful theory after another, attempting to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. In spite of their efforts to cast doubt on the historical record, the truth is that Jesus came out of the tomb.
We serve a living Savior! – Herbert Vander Lugt
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say. – Ackley
Jesus arose despite His foes.
– April 11, Vol. 10, Our Daily Bread