Lent - Pt 45

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Matthew 27:62-66 ESV).

If we had any doubt that Pilate had Jesus executed to prevent a riot, rather than because Christ was guilty of attempting to overthrow Rome (cf. Matthew 27:11-26), the circumstances of his burial prove that the governor believed Jesus was innocent as charged. Most crucified victims in ancient Rome were left on the cross even after they were dead. It was not unusual, however, for Roman authorities to grant the body of a crucified person to his friends or family, provided he was not guilty of high treason. Pilate evidently did not think Jesus was guilty at all, otherwise he would not have given Christ’s body to Joseph of Arimathea. However, the Jewish religious authorities saw a need for further precautions. Like many other first-century Jews, Jesus was buried outside the city in a cave hewn in a limestone hill. The “great stone” (v. 60) that sealed His grave was set on an incline in a channel cut in the rock, making it easier to cover the tomb by rolling the stone downhill. It took several men to roll the stone back up the incline, which discouraged grave robbers and wild animals from trying to enter the tomb. This refutes any theory that Jesus swooned, and, not having died, regained consciousness and rolled the stone away Himself. Other details that corroborate the historicity of the resurrection are the seal and contingent of soldiers placed at the entrance to the tomb (vv. 62–66). The seal was a soft, moldable substance, probably clay, that was imprinted with the Roman imperial seal and attached to the stone with a rope. Breaking the seal would incur the Empire’s wrath, even if someone could get past the guards. Their fear of Jesus’ resurrection is only a further assurance to us today. I wish we could have been there to see the expression and reaction of the guards. The Scripture will tell us there was an earthquake, the stone was rolled back, and like lightening an angel appears. The guards fell in fear, “as if dead” (cf. Matthew 28:4). The message to the women is the same to us: “Don’t be afraid.” We face many fears today. None of them are a match for our Savior and His grace in us. Let that really penetrate your life today! All your sins are forgiven and you are redeemed! Nothing can change that truth!