Matthew 28:11-15
Religious
Leaders Try to Hide the News of the Risen
Christ
Matthew
28:11 Now while they
were on their way, some of the guard came into the
city and reported to the chief priests all that had
happened.
12 And when they had
assembled with the elders and consulted together,
they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
13 and said, "You are to say,
'His disciples came by night and stole Him away
while we were asleep.'
14 "And if this should come
to the governor's ears, we will win him over and
keep you out of trouble."
15 And they took the money
and did as they had been instructed; and this story
was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this
day.
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change
the way that we think, and the way that we live.
Commentary
by Bob Pardue
Spreading
Doubt
Jerusalem was hearing the
news confirming the resurrection of Jesus and it
was spreading rapidly through the streets. Some
women were looking for the disciples to let them
know that Jesus was still living and had conquered
death.
Quite a stir to put it
simply.
The
Cover-up
No, this is not Watergate but
is familiar to those of us who experienced the
1970s. The religious leaders were feverishly
maneuvering to cover up the facts by bribing the
guards who were at the tomb.
The guards were given money
and instructed to say that the disciples had taken
the body of Jesus while they slept.
So, the people now have two
conflicting stories. One, that Jesus was
resurrected from the dead and the other saying He
was taken and hidden by the disciples. Which is
easier to believe?
This is a challenge we face
today. Here are the current
viewpoints...
1. Believe that Jesus
rose from the dead to atone the sins of
mankind.
2. Deny that it ever
happened.
3. Try to give an
explanation. Many scientists and historians try to
explain what might have happened based on facts as
we understand them. But, they usually leave out one
important word ... faith!
We have these same choices
just as the people of Jerusalem did. We can choose
to believe, deny or explain.
I choose to believe that
Jesus lived, died on the cross, and rose again to
forgive me for my sins.
Which choice will you make
today?
Love in Christ
- Bob
If you have never made the
commitment to receive the love and life-changing
experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to
go
here and take the
first
steps to salvation.
Verses about Jesus rising from the tomb are
from New American Standard Bible
Comments are welcome. Please email
me with any questions or comments you
may have.
Another Lesson for
Study
Matthew
28:1-10 - Jesus Rises From the
Grave -
Near the conclusion of the Easter story Jesus rises
from the tomb and leaves Mary Magdalene and us with
four lessons to ponder.
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