62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 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.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[ j ] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Matthew 27:62-66 (ESV) 中文

On the cross

Jesus is dead and in the borrowed tomb of a secret, rich follower named Joseph. He has used his resources to provide for the good work that needed to be done (Ephesians 2:10). It’s now the next (second) day. And the Pharisees want the tomb sealed. There’s one problem. Today is the Sabbath!

Hypocrites

These same Pharisees earlier in His ministry hounded Jesus about breaking the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-14). They even tried to set Him up to break the Sabbath. It’s now the Sabbath and they want to secure the tomb of Jesus so His disciples can’t steal the body and claim He rose from the dead. But sealing a tomb will require work…on the Sabbath. They ask Pilate to do it (so they do not personally violate the Sabbath). Pilate gives the OK but tells them to do it. Now what? They send the temple guards to do the dirty work and break the Sabbath!

Was there a resurrection?

The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is a proven fact. There is much corroborating evidence. In the book (and movie), Case for Christ, Lee Stroble does a wonderful job of meticulously documenting the facts so readers can come to this same conclusion. One proof of the resurrection is this event, the sealing of the tomb. There is little chance the disciples could overpower the guards and move the stone without breaking the seal and that no one would know. Interestingly, when the resurrection does indeed happen (tomorrow), the Pharisees claim that the disciples did indeed steal Jesus’s body. But, they are not able to produce the body. There are many resources on this topic. Another is this from Desiring God. 

RЯeflection

• Are you skeptical about Christianity and the Bible? The fact of the resurrection can certainly fill some knowledge gaps and give opportunity for faith to grow. But believing facts will not save you. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, not our own works, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Click here for more or contact us.
• Follower of Christ. Be certain in the validity of the Bible – every detail. Christ’s death and resurrection are facts that are supported and documented. You do not “just believe” like it’s a fairy tale. No, these are actual, historical, documented events. The Bible can be trusted!