“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore 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.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard…
“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it… The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.’
“While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.” (Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-2,5-6,11-15)
Enmity and fear kept the religious leaders on edge around the crucifixion of the enemy they’d hoped to extinguish forever. Too many strange things had happened they needed to suppress, so conniving ruled mindset and behavior. If they could just cover up their motives and Jesus’s unusual death, they could squelch rumors, but nothing they instituted could hold down His promises and power. His resurrection would uncover what they hoped never to disclose. (Matthew 27:50-54)
Self-focus, jealousy, and fear yield a warped sense of truth. But as sure as Jesus rose from the dead, He will in His time uncover deceit and lay all things bare. Man’s best laid plans come to naught when determined against the Lord. The Way and Truth is inconsistent with our scheming, and will surely find us out.
What secret habits or corners of our minds do we attempt to keep closed and dark? Do we protect hiding places for disdain, bitterness, or revenge, thinking them undetected? Where are we trying to camouflage sin with excuses or justification? What we attempt to conceal reveals whether we value reputation, approval, or money more that truth that liberates. (John 8:32)
Truth will burst forth one day. The longer we cover it up the more misery we invite. Would we respond to God’s Spirit and confess now to enjoy the blessing of forgiveness, or face shame and judgment? (Psalm 32:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Lord, keep me honest with You daily, welcoming Your light, mercy, and freedom.
As the rain and snow 