True news

The next day, which was a Sabbath, the chief priests and the Pharisees met with Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember that while the liar was still alive he said, “I will be raised to life three days later.” Give orders, then, for his tomb to be carefully guarded until the third day, so that his disciples will not be able to go and steal the body, and then tell the people that he was raised from death. This last lie would be even worse than the first one.’ (verses 62-64)

Read Matthew 27:55-66

Recently an article appeared in the paper which began, ‘I wish to advise relatives and friends that the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I am not dead, have never been dead, and to the best of my knowledge will not be dead for a long time to come.’

Imagine if you had been a friend of this person. You would have gone through the trauma of loss only to be told that the report was false.

Jesus’ friends were not deceived by news of his death. His death was real. Most of them witnessed it first hand. The priests feared that Jesus’ followers would steal his body and claim a resurrection. Soldiers were put in front of his grave to prevent such a deception.

How they misjudged him. Jesus did rise, and no guards outside his tomb could prevent this miraculous occurrence. Now Jesus and his followers could announce, ‘The news of Jesus death was true, but now he lives!’

And he lives today, your risen Lord. Your Saviour.

You died for me, O Lord. You rose and defeated death so that I may live with you forever. How great you are! Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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