Matthew 27:62-66 - July 6, 2010
Matthew 27:62-66 - July 6, 2010
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Matthew 27:62-66
What comfort is there in the tomb of Christ?
The filled tomb, Friday evening, Saturday, and early Sunday morning, is a tomb that fulfills Jesus' own prophecy. He declared, "Everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise" (Luke 18:31-33).
The filled tomb is clear testimony that Jesus died on the cross; he did not faint or swoon. He died. The filled tomb, though terrible, though horrifying, is nevertheless the gospel—good news for us.
The gospel of the filled tomb is the message of God's ultimate love. It is the ultimate conclusion of "gave" in John 3:16, for God "gave" his one and only Son. God the Father gave his Son. God the Son gave up his life. The filled tomb is a comfort to us, but it is only a comfort because it is no longer full. Its contents, a corpse, laid there lifeless for three days. But on the third day, Jesus rose! He lives!
Through him, we have eternal life. Our sins are covered. Our death sentence for sin has been completely paid by him. He proved it by coming out of the tomb, alive. The filled tomb is a message that we cherish, because it is no longer full.
Savior Jesus, your filled tomb for three days fills me with the peace that I am reconciled to God by your death for me. And your empty tomb empties me of the fear of death. Accept my praise for the good news of comfort and joy that your tomb proclaims to me about your death and resurrection. Hallelujah! Amen.
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