Read
9Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said, “Don't be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
Report of the Guard
11While the women were on their way, some soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into the city. They told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12So the chief priests met with the leaders and decided to bribe the soldiers with a lot of money. 13They said to the soldiers, “Tell everyone that Jesus' disciples came during the night and stole his body while you were asleep. 14If the governor hears about this, we will talk to him. You won't have anything to worry about.” 15The soldiers took the money and did what they were told. The people of Judea still tell each other this story.
Reflect
People will go to great lengths to avoid the truth. The truth may be personal, as when someone points out a character flaw in us and we invent a score of reasons as to why the issue we have been confronted with is not valid. Perhaps it is a criticism of one of our children and we are incensed at what has been said even though deep down we know there is some truth in the evaluation.
Here the religious leaders go to great lengths to cover up the obvious fact that the person they have crucified has risen and has vacated a sealed and guarded tomb. They pay a large sum of money to spread a lie that while they slept, his disciples came and stole away the body. In spreading this false rumour, the leaders could hold on to the lie that the crucified one was an impostor and not who he claimed to be. We also, can expend great amounts of energy to hold on to a position or a viewpoint even though there is clear evidence we are wrong.
This lie about the empty tomb was so persuasive, that when Matthew was writing his Gospel, the lie was still being circulated (15).If an accusation or a rumor is circulated widely enough and repeated often enough, people may start to believe there is some merit to it. This is how reputations are destroyed and churches are divided. It is a reminder that we need to be certain of our facts before it is repeated or to ask ourselves whether it needs to be passed on at all.
Respond
Heavenly Father, God of truth, help me to speak only what is true. Before I pass on any information, give me the grace to pause and ask if this will really advance your kingdom, or whether it best left unsaid. Amen.
Roy Matheson
Roy Matheson holds the Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary, and completed post doctoral studies at Wycliffe College and St Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Since 1970, he has taught at Tyndale University and Seminary, and presently is Professor Emeritus of New Testament. Since 1979, he has been Teaching Pastor at Chartwell Baptist Church in Oakville Ontario, and is presently Pastor Emeritus. Roy has taught in numerous settings within Canada as well as other countries: Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, France, Kazakhstan, India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Mongolia. He is married to Joy and they have three married children and seven grandchildren. Publications: Loving God’s Family: A Commentary on First John (Victor Books) along with a number of articles in Moody Monthly, Faith Today etc. Recently, Songs of the Servant: A Lenten Devotional on the Servant Songs of Isaiah (self published).