Thoughts for the Day

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We have seen how the chief priests and the pharisees went to see Pilate to ensure a guard of soldiers and a seal were put in place at the tomb where Jesus lay, and how on Easter Day an earthquake occurred and an angel rolled away the stone in front of the empty tomb. Matthew told us that "For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.". But now he continues with the story of the guards. These professional, hardened, soldiers were terrified of what they had seen. They had a story to tell and rather than go to Pilate they go to the chief priests where a plan is devised to cover up what has happened.

But as Adam Clarke the theologian points out: "Here is a whole heap of absurdities!" If true it would mean that:

• All the guards slept.
• None heard the huge stone being rolled away - it would have been noisy.
• They would not have known that the disciples had carried out the work - because they were asleep.

Sleeping on guard duty was punishable by death, yet this is what they risked in agreeing to take the bribe offered. That is how terrified they were by what they had seen and heard.

An Roman proverb, later amplified by George Washington, was: 'Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light'. Matthew, writing to explain the Good News of Jesus Christ to Jewish Christians (post 70 CE) helped to ensure that the truth of the resurrection of Jesus did prevail.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we like too think we are 'rational' beings,
and find it difficult to believe in miracles.
Help our unbelief,
to know that You are God
and with You all things are possible.
May we learn to trust You more and more
as we continue life's journey,
so that we can take the truth to others.
Amen.