Matthew 27:63 

New International Version (NIV)

“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’

For Meditation

It is morning, the day after. Calvary is quiet. Three people were crucified yesterday, but only two remain on their crosses. Jesus is buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The celebration of Caiaphas and his council members has given way to a silent morning breeze whisking through an open window. Jerusalem is like a cemetery. Why not? There is no Carpenter from Nazareth to kick and shout against. And now, they sleep with exhaustion.

What is it that has awoken Caiaphas so early in the morning? I thought his contented heart over several goblets of wine would sedate him past noon time. After all, it’s the Sabbath, a day of rest when nothing moves. But no! The big man can’t sleep. Something Jesus said haunts him.

“After three days I will rise again” (Matt. 27:63).

But wait a minute. His disciples don’t even remember it, so how could the High Priest? If they do, they don’t really expect that to happen. Besides, they are too afraid for their lives to venture out for such a clandestine operation. But, Caiaphas remembers it.

Sin has a way of striking terror in the heart of its slave. Once it gets a person to commit a heinous crime, fear of the consequences terrorizes the heart. Sleep evades the eyes and the mind goes on imagination mode. “What if Jesus rises as he said?”

Caiaphas calls a predawn meeting of the full Sanhedrin, and they troop in before the Roman Governor. The name of Jesus is the last thing Pilate wants to hear. But here they are – the chief priests and Pharisees, with a request to seal and guard the tomb.

“What are they afraid of,” Pilate may have mused.

“Take a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how” (65).

So they did” (66).

But, is that all they could do – a seal and a few temple guards and Roman soldiers to prevent the Master of all creation behind a tomb? When will human being learn? When will they abandon their futile schemes and worldly wisdom and listen to the voice of God? Can anybody contend with God and win? As He told Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). But, Caiaphas and his team think they can do just that. They have just broken the Sabbath with impunity, but who cared if that takes care of the “imposter?”

But, the third day is dawning tomorrow. The clock is ticking, and “the arm of the Lord [will be] revealed” (Is. 53:1).

As surely as the day always follows the night, so will Christ rise from the dead tomorrow morning. He laid His life down voluntarily, and will take it up again at sunrise, as He promised.

So, let the resurrection of Jesus firm your hope in Him and comfort and stay strong for His return. In the meantime, go out and behold the empty tomb tomorrow morning, and celebrate with the loudest praise for your victorious King who is Lord over all.

Happy Holy Saturday.

Shalom