PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 28:11-15
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“This story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:15)
The religious leaders do NOT want to believe that Jesus is alive.
They are as devoted to their faith that Jesus is not the Messiah.
Just as his disciples were devoted to their confidence that he is!
Some people accuse Christians of blindly following faith, not reason.
But faith lies at the root of all thinking, for the atheist and the theist.
When we believe something, we see all the facts through the lens of that belief.
Those who do not want to believe in the resurrected Jesus will not see any evidence for it.
Not because it’s not there but because they don’t want to.
No, I am not saying that there is clear evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
I am saying it also takes faith (in different things) to deny it, as to affirm it.
Yes, one reason I believe it is because I want to believe it.
And one reason you do not believe it is because you do not want to.
People believe what they want to believe!
I admit my faith in believing in Jesus… do you admit your faith in denying him?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me evidence that you are alive. Please show yourself (as you did to Paul) to those who do not want to believe!
The guards experienced the resurrection and fearing the consequences told the religious leaders. Their powerful position among the people was in peril and so they devised their plan of deceit. The power and pleasures and honours of their lives blinded them from seeing the truth and told the lie which the soldiers also did. The people of the day believed the lie rather than the truth. And that truth is that there is no salvation unless God’s grace calls that person to repentance and faith. It is only of His love for us that you and I are made whole/alive. May we have open eyes that we see You and continue to lead us in the Way.
1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
2 Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold–
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross. [Refrain]
3 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
All who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive? [Refrain]