David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 27:62-66

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ ⁶⁴Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” ⁶⁵Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” ⁶⁶So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

The irony of these verses is  delightfully striking; making a tomb secure rank high among seemingly futile things to do. There may be occasions when the fear of vandals, grave robbers (who would go into that profession?!?), or unseemly conduct would merit extra security. But the grave itself is its own security. Few people escape it. But Pilate tells the chief priests and Pharisees to make the tomb as secure as they can. Indeed.

The guard is posted. The seal is placed. It is made as secure as they know how.

We might speculate as to what Jesus’ disciples are doing on the Saturday after his death. We may wonder about Jesus’ own activity on Saturday: simply resting in the tomb, observing the Sabbath; or visiting Satan in his den and showing how complete was his victory. We could imagine ourselves in this story somewhere, wondering what the day will bring. But Pilate, the guards, the chief priests and Pharisees are busy making a tomb secure.

No wonder: there is much at stake here. If Jesus’ body is stolen there will be much trouble. If, however, God has other plans – and he does indeed have other plans! – this futile act will go down in history as vain and impotent.

What are you doing today? What plans do you have for marking the day between Jesus’ death and resurrection. It might be a good day to do a gut check on just where your security is to be found and sustained. It’s not in armies, locks, power plays or anything on this earth. It is in the One who for a time borrowed a tomb and is now seated at the right hand of God.