Meditation

Reader,

Jesus's body had been placed in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea. Despite being certain that Jesus is dead, his Jewish enemies visit Pilate to ensure that no one can steal his body and claim his resurrection.

Thus, today's passage exposes two ironies.

While Jesus' disciples have fled and seemingly forgotten his promise of resurrection, his enemies are very conscious of it...and, despite having had him killed, are still scared of Jesus' power.

These special efforts to secure Jesus' body from being stolen will only serve to prove beyond doubt the miraculous nature of his resurrection.

The stone could not have been rolled away from the inside of the tomb; neither could the guard have been overcome from the outside.

Today's text is Matthew 27:62-66

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’

64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Encouragement

While today is typically a day of quiet reflection, overshadowed by the solemnity of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter Sunday, we can reflect on Jesus' great promise;

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

John 2:19

Andy

God's Word In Your Hand

Why not post a picture of your completed page to our Facebook Group today? Many other club members will be doing the same, and your pictures will be a great encouragement to everyone else in the club. ...and don't worry about your handwriting! It is as unique as you are, and God's word looks beautiful in it.

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