The Pharisees said to Pilate after Jesus was crucified, “Sir, we remember, while Jesus was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘AFTER THREE DAYS I WILL RISE.‘ Therefore, command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So, the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So, they went AND MADE THE TOMB SECURE, sealing the stone and setting the guard.” (Matthew 27:62-66)
The three-day interval signifies a period of transformation. It represents DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION. Jesus’ death on the cross symbolized the SACRIFICE FOR HUMANITY’S SINS, His burial signified THE COMPLETION OF THAT SACRIFICE, and His resurrection demonstrated VICTORY OVER DEATH AND SIN.
This is what is strange, Jesus taught on at least THREE OCCASIONS:
- “Jesus taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, HE WILL RISE THE THIRD DAY.” (Mark 9:31)
- “Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and THE THIRD DAY HE WILL BE RAISED UP.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.” (Matthew 17:22-23)
- “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY.” (Luke 9:22)
So, surely the disciples would be there the third day waiting! “Now as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary CAME TO SEE THE TOMB…behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone …And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. But 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 IS RISEN…” (Matthew 28:2-6) Why were they there? “Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go TO ANOINT JESUS’ BODY.” (Matthew 28:1) They did not have time to prepare Jesus for burial because the guards sealed the stone on His grave. They DID NOT BELIEVE that He would rise as He said, they went back and told the disciples and “She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, THEY DID NOT BELIEVE.” (Mark 16:10-11)
“Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and HE REBUKED THEIR UNBELIEF and hardness of heart, because they DID NOT BELIEVE THOSE WHO HAD SEEN HIM after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14)
OH LORD, PLEASE HELP OUR UNBELIEF, WE MUST BELIEVE IN WHO YOU ARE AND IN ALL YOU CAN DO!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham