We often talk about what happened on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. But in between those 2 days, what was happening behind the scenes?
Matthew tells us in his gospel account in Matthew 27:62-66:
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’
64 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.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
SCENE
The Day of Preparation was what they would refer to as the day before the Sabbath. Mark 15:42 makes that clear – “And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath…”
Now, the chief priests and Pharisees spoke to Pilate for they remembered what Jesus said in John 2:19-21, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.”
They were afraid that Jesus’ followers might come and take his body so that they can say that he rose from the dead.
SITUATION
As a result, Pilate told them to have soldiers guard the tomb and try to make it as secure as they could. It didn’t seem to bother him as much as it did the Pharisees and chief priests.
SIGNIFICANCE
God was setting up the scene for the greatest event in human history. What man tried to stop, God wasn’t going to allow. He has ordained the days and His plan of redemption was already in motion.
1. However we try to stop it, God’s purpose will always prevail.
The Pharisees made sure that there were guards to secure the tomb. God had other means to get Jesus out of there.
2. What seemed unbelievable became undeniable for nothing is impossible with God.
Securing the tomb wasn’t difficult. The stone was heavy. The Roman seal on the tomb couldn’t be broken or else severe penalty was certain. And guards watched over the place with their own lives. But what seemed unbelievable in due time became undeniable. Jesus indeed was risen.
3. God’s power is at work even when we don’t see it.
From the outside, it was quiet in the tomb. However, a miracle was about to unfold. Many times, we may not see the miracle of God as it is being prepared, but it is on its way for sure.
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