Scripture: Matthew 27
The Guard at the Tomb
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.
Holy Saturday devotional thoughts
Even though Jesus had been crucified, the chief priests and the Pharisees knew that he was different. Putting him to death wasn’t enough. They had to make sure that he didn’t make good on his promise to rise again in three days. They used the pretense of being afraid of the disciples coming and stealing the body. Surely their sources told them that the disciples were not a risk though because the disciples were all in hiding this time. The chief priests and the Pharisees were terrified of the power of Jesus.
Pilate tells them to make the tomb as secure as they know how. So they secured the tomb with a stone that was sealed and not easily moved. They also placed guards to keep watch.
All there was left to do was wait. Imagine yourself a follower of Jesus during this time frame. You put your faith in Jesus, and now it’s time to stand firm on that faith. Is Jesus really who he says he is? Will he come out of that tomb in three days just like he said he would? Is he the Messiah and the Son of God? Just be still and know. It may seem like all hope is lost, beloved, but Sunday is coming.
Songs of Worship and Reflection
More Than Able (feat. Chandler Moore & Tiffany Hudson) [Radio Edit] – Elevation Worship
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