THE GUARDS WHO SLEPT AT POST

We read today’s account of the guards at the tomb and their return to the Jewish authorities to confirm their version of events. The verses we read details the recommendation provided to them by the authorities:

You are to say that his disciples came during the night and stole his body while you were asleep. And if the Governor should hear of this, we will convince him that you are innocent, and you will have nothing to worry about.” (Matthew 28:13-14 GNT)

For starters, it was the same Jewish leaders who had appealed to Pilate for guards at the tomb of Jesus given the rumors swirling around the resurrection. Thus, the caveat pilate gave with this request in “Matthew 27:65 was “Take a guard,” “go and make the tomb as secure as you can.” The guards therefore had one job – “don’t let his disciples come and steal his body”.

At first glance then, the soldiers appear to have been given a solution to what seemed like a real predicament. However, scratch beneath the surface and we uncover the ridiculousness of the whole situation. There were to say they had fallen asleep on the job knowing what was at stake from the very beginning.

That was not the truth, but it was the narrative advanced by those with power. A fact that may be hard to accept is that not everyone has your best interests at heart, and there are many who will place their gain above yours regardless of the consequence. So it is a big deal when people of influence see you as a big deal”.

Pray that you are kept from wicked and unreasonable men: those who talk you down, or suggest situations that undermine who you are and are ready to throw you to a pack of wolves under the banner of “the guard who slept at post”, just so they can advance their own agenda.

#sly