The only thing recorded in the gospels is this, “…they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56) This passing reference to the disciples’ Sabbath rest may mask the considerable INNER TURMOIL they were likely experiencing. We thought Jesus was going to lead us into victory over this Roman oppression. It is probable that Jesus’ followers were doing on Saturday what they were doing on Sunday when Jesus appeared in their midst: meeting together BEHIND CLOSED DOORS for fear of the Jewish leaders. Their hopes and expectations HAD BEEN CRUSHED. The one they hoped was the Messiah had been KILLED as a criminal. They hadn’t understood Jesus’ three distinct predictions (Mark 8:31-32, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:32-34) about SUFFERING AND DYING before the crucifixion took place, and then GLORIOUSLY BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD, and it would not be until Jesus appeared among them the following day as the RISEN VICTOR AND CONQUEROR of death that they would begin to understand.
According to Matthews account, it was on Saturday that the Pharisees and chief priests came to Pilate and asked for a guard to be posted at Jesus’ tomb, saying, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first” (Matt. 27:63–64) Interesting, the Pharisees herd Jesus say that He would rise from the dead, but His own disciples did not hear Him! Even though He told them on three occasions (Mark 8:31-32, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:32-34). So, they went to Pilate.
Pilate’s response, “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So, they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.” (Matthew 27:65-66) He grants them permission to guard the tomb, and they proceed to do so. While the Jewish authorities didn’t believe Jesus’ words any more than the disciples did, they were adamant that the body placed in the tomb MUST STAY THERE and not be removed. This is early Easter morning! How long did those guards stay there? “An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and SAT ON IT (he threw that 2-ton stone away from the tomb). The guards were so afraid of him that THEY SHOOK AND BECAME LIKE DEAD MEN.” (Matthew 28:2-4) The guards ran away and told the chief priests what the angel did, they paid the guards TO LIE and say the disciples STOLE THE BODY OF JESUS.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham