A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Day 38

Matthew 28:11-15

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So, the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The last two days have focused on the women who not only discovered the empty tomb but were also tasked, by the Risen Savior himself, to go and share the story of His resurrection with the disciples.

Today we see a different story unfold, a fabricated and carefully crafted one.

The soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into town to tell the chief priests what they had seen happen at Jesus’ grave. It’s important to know that because they “passed out from fear when they saw the angel” they didn’t witness all that had transpired. The Bible Reference App states that – “It's unlikely these soldiers saw Jesus alive. But they did experience the earthquake and see an angel from heaven roll a huge stone out from in front of Jesus' tomb. They did observe that the body was gone, even if they couldn’t say for sure that Jesus has been raised from the dead.”

Although we don’t know exactly what the soldiers shared with the officials, we know that the Jewish religious leaders quickly devised a corrupt plan to bribe the guards to spread a “different version” of what had really happened. The modified story that the soldiers were instructed to share was that while they were sleeping, Jesus' disciples sneaked in and stole His body.

This version of the story was actually quite risky for the soldiers because they could be put to death for falling asleep on the job. And this is why the official’s bribe included more than just money. It also included a promise to keep them safe from getting in trouble. I suppose the soldiers felt that it was an offer so good that they couldn’t turn it down.

And the rest - was history. One event, two stories, and centuries of competing narratives.

Before we wrap up today, just a few thoughts on the two differing stories.

-----The soldiers’ account required people to believe that the soldiers were sleeping so soundly that they didn’t hear Jesus’ followers as they worked, grunting and straining, to push way the huge stone and steal a corpse. And what about the sound of the rock itself being moved, that didn’t wake the soldiers? I wonder how they explained this?

-----The women’s account of a Messiah raised from the dead had actually been foretold throughout the Old Testament and by Jesus Himself. And one other argument for the story that we know to be true is that if Jesus’ followers had fabricated the events, the women would never have been cast in the role of the chosen ones to share the good news. Women of that day were seen as second-hand citizens. They couldn’t even bear witness in a court of law. Their story wouldn’t have been considered credible.

How does knowing the orgin of the differing versions of the empty tomb prepare you for sharing the Good News of our Risen Savior?

Dear Jesus,

We praise You and give thanks that we get to journey with You through this season of Lent. Draw us closer to Your heart, that we might know You better. After we daily reflect on Your selflessness and life-giving Word, give us wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the world just as You intend. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take Your good news to the world. We love You and are honored to serve you Lord, our sweet Savior. Amen.

Week 7 Act of Kindness

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

This week, with the Holy Spirit’s prompting, do a random act of kindness for someone.