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Matthew 28:11-15
The guards at the tomb of Jesus were the guards of the temple/scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 27:65), not that of Roman soldiers. Matthew 28:11 (NKJV) states, “11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.” Had they been Roman guards they would surely have been put to death for dereliction of duty. But these guards reported back to the chief priests which further signifies that they were the guards of the temple.
In a cover up for the resurrection, the temple council decided to give the guards a large sum of money to tell anyone who may ask, that the disciples of Jesus came and took the body of Jesus in the night while they slept. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 28:15, “So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
This is an example of the ruthless desire of the sinful nature/Satan to discount Jesus.
The desire of Satan is of one thing and one thing only: to discount God in a false hope of bringing glory to himself. He will stop at no end in his efforts to put himself above God. We see it today all around us in the secular world. We fight against it in our own bodies and souls. The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV), “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Satan will always try to convince you that Jesus does not exist, but Jesus declares in John 8:44 that Satan is a murderer and a liar – that Satan is the father of all lies. But Jesus also declares in John 14:6 that He Himself is the way, the truth, and the life. The real question is, “What do you believe?” Believe in Jesus today, and He will open your eyes to the realization and understanding of God’s plan for your life – if you will seek Him, you will find Him.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to not fall to the evil desires of the sinful nature that Satan throws at us each day, but that we would put our trust and faith in Jesus to set us free from the chains that Satan binds the world in. Please help us to realize and understand that our battle is against the evil forces of the spiritual world, and that through Jesus we can overcome the wiles of the devil. In Jesus name I pray, amen.