Uh-oh! The news from the soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb is a big problem. The religious elite who put Jesus to death wake up to their worst fears—Jesus is risen from the tomb! There was an earthquake, and an angel came and rolled the stone away. His body is gone! And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it…And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. (Matthew 28:2 & 4, ESV)
So what’s the plan? Let’s bribe the soldiers to lie—telling everyone that Jesus’ ragtag band of followers, who had all abandoned him out of fear, suddenly found a streak of bravery run through their spines and conducted a covert operation. They rolled the stone back and stole the body while the soldiers were snoring. That’ll put an end to the resurrection! The crazy part is that the religious elite and the Roman soldiers went with it. Apparently, it’s the best they could come up with.
For nearly two thousand years, the message of the Gospel has crushed all attempts to silence it. The commission of Jesus to spread this Gospel is supported by an authority beyond this world. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV) What a promise we have as believers that Jesus is with us until the end of the age, and all attempts to stop the Gospel are as ridiculous as the first attempt was. Let’s rejoice in the resurrection, and with great power, let’s continue to tell others of the hope and life available to all who will believe.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 28 and Mark 16.