Holy Week - Pt. 5

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).

 

After Jesus was placed in the tomb we get a glimpse of the fear of the unknown from the religious leaders who were instrumental in forcing Jesus’ death at the hands of the Roman government. They had heard all the rumors of the prophecies of resurrection. After all they had done to end this “rebellious uprising” they had to see it to the end. They received a contingent of guards from Pilate and sealed the tomb with a rock completely covering the entrance. Surely that would get them through the next two days. What they did not account for was the power of God. They simply did not believe.

 

The disciples were so grief stricken they were lost without their leader. They retreated to the upper room and waited in silence. They were not hopeful, they were defeated and numb with the pain. They had things yet to do, but none of them could muster the strength to finalize Jesus’ burial. They sat, paralyzed with the unknown. Is that really so different than many of us have experienced? It doesn’t take much life to experience such loss. At first it is simply unbelievable. We deny the reality. Slowly the minutes turn to hours and we begin to feel the full brunt of the loss. Slowly we recognize there is nothing we can do, even if we had the strength to do it.

 

It was silent. No one had the words to speak to one another; nor did it appear that God was speaking. I suspect even the angels were struck dumb with the truth of the death of the Father’s only Begotten Son. Had the devil really won? Had these sinful religious leaders and corrupt government officials really ended the life of Jesus? We now know different, because we are on this side of the resurrection. But, they didn’t. That Sunday morning when the women come to finalize the burial, everything changed! The heavens shouted, the angel spoke, and Jesus said, “It is I!” Now the silence was forever ended. Death no longer had any power over us! Silent Saturday turned to Easter Sunday! He is Risen! That now is our chorus!