The guards were paid to lie

Posted on by Dave
Jesus showed His nail scarred hands to prove He was alive.

Matthew 28:11-15 – “As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. [12] A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. [13] They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ [14] If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” [15] So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.”

One of the things I find interesting about the resurrection of Jesus is how quickly false truths were spread.

We know from the Bible and other historical sources that Jesus was raised to life on Easter Sunday. But it did not take long for the leading priests to try and change the historical view of things.

The leading priests thought they had dealt with the “problem” of Jesus. He was crucified, died and was buried. But they knew of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah rising to life.

Because the leading priests did not think that Jesus was the Messiah, they wanted history to record that Jesus’ followers took His body in the night. They even paid off the guards!

The problem the leading priests had with Jesus is that He did not fulfil their expectations. They wanted a mighty king who would free them from Roman oppression. They wanted a king who rode in on a white horse who slayed the Romans and validated them.

But instead Jesus came as a servant King who washed feet, preached to the poor and outcastes, ate with sinners and tax collectors, healed the sick and lame, drove out demons, rode a donkey and preach the Kingdom of God.

Because Jesus did not match their image of the Messiah, they missed the One they had been waiting for, for centuries. I find this really sad.

To me this underscores the importance of having the right view of Jesus. Understanding He was the Son of God, the Messiah and the Suffering Servant the prophecies spoke of. Understanding these things determines our eternal destiny. It is just so important for us all.