Saturday Guard Duty
Matthew 27:62-66 The next day, the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that liar was still alive he said, ‘I will rise from death in three days.’ So give the order for the tomb to be guarded well for three days. His followers might come and try to steal the body. Then they could tell everyone that he has risen from death. That lie will be even worse than what they said about him before.” Pilate said, “Take some soldiers and go guard the tomb the best way you know.” So they all went to the tomb and made it safe from thieves. They did this by sealing the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it.
For most of us, Saturday is a day of rest, or at the very least, a break from our weekly work routine. And if you’re in that regular cadence of working Monday to Friday, the last thing you want to do is to work on Saturday, am I right?
Back in my military days every military establishment was manned 24/7. So, as a junior officer, I’d regularly be rostered on as duty officer which involved staying on base overnight, keeping it secure, and dealing with any emergencies. But man, I used to hate it when I’d score a weekend duty officer. That was the pits. So I wonder how these soldiers felt:
Matthew 27:62-66 The next day, the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that liar was still alive he said, ‘I will rise from death in three days.’ So give the order for the tomb to be guarded well for three days. His followers might come and try to steal the body. Then they could tell everyone that he has risen from death. That lie will be even worse than what they said about him before.” Pilate said, “Take some soldiers and go guard the tomb the best way you know.” So they all went to the tomb and made it safe from thieves. They did this by sealing the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it.
Not happy chappies, those soldiers! But things went from bad to worse. Because as Jesus’ stone-cold body lay on a slab inside that tomb, a miracle of life was underway. The following day the stone would be rolled away; the tomb would be empty. Stay alert, soldier. The Good News is coming!
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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