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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.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4,6-7 – I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. [4] He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. [6] After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. [7] Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the pillars of our faith as Christians. We believe He died for our sins and on the third day He rose to life.

The above passage tells us that Jesus that Jesus was seen by over 500 of His followers after His resurrection. This includes His 12 disciples.

The Bible and other historical writings tell us that most of the 12 disciples, later called Apostles, died at the hands of others because of their faith in Christ.

They were so convinced that Christ died and was raised to life that they were prepared to die for what they believed about Jesus.

For me the evidence keeps building that prove Jesus was who He said He was…

1. He claimed multiple times to be the Son of God and the Messiah.

2. God the Father spoke from heaven three times to confirm He was His Son.

3. He performed many miracles including raising people from the dead.

4. He was raised to life that was seen by more than 500 people.

5. Most of the Apostles died for their faith at the hands of others.

I believe Jesus is the Messiah. I believe He died on the cross for our sins. I believe He was raised to life on the third day. I believe we all need to put our faith, trust and hope in Him. I believe that He is coming back and He will take us to be with Him forever.

In Matthew 26:14-16 we see that Judas betrays Jesus. It says, “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.”

We see in a number of places in the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zecheriah 11 is one place that talks about this.

In the Hebrew culture, thirty pieces of silver was not a lot of money. In fact, it was the exact price paid to the master of a slave if and when his slave was gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32). In order to compensate for a slave’s death and burial, it was written into law that 30 pieces of silver would account for the cost.

The Son of God, the King of kings, the Lord of all lords, the Saviour of the world was purchased for 30 pieces of silver. The death price of a slave.