And they became as dead men

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men(Mathew 28:4)

After Jesus’ death and burial, the Pharisees recalled his words, for he had said that he would rise from the dead after three days. This filled them with fear and anxiety, so they went to Pontius Pilate to ask him to station armed legionnaires to guard Jesus’ tomb.

“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Matthew 27:62-66)

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 28:1-8)

“Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” (Matthew 28:11-15)

Here, the devil has played a real trick on humanity by, as so often, using his servants in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as the religious elite. How cheap was this foolish lie, yet it apparently worked.

How could the people believe that 12 of Jesus’ disciples could have overpowered the Roman legionnaires?

How spiritually depraved were the Pharisees, who now knew full well that Jesus had risen after all?

Not one of them was willing to repent of their hatred and their false views of Jesus!

And how desperate were the legionnaires, who had to expect execution because they could not keep Jesus’ body in the tomb in order to spread the lie among the people?

How blinded are people today, who want just as little to do with the Risen One? To this very day, they reject Jesus’ rule. Singing and dancing, today’s society is heading toward the abyss! If anyone has a reason to celebrate, it is us, the Lord’s redeemed!

But why is that so? Do the godless have better rulers over them? Do they really believe they are “free”? The truth is that all people are slaves to the satanic, worldly system, but only a few realize it.

No one here is “free,” not even a billionaire. The system rules over everyone—until the return of the risen Christ, after which it will be over! (See Revelation 19–20)

Wouldn’t it be wise to turn to the Lord Jesus right now? In fact, this is absolutely essential to bring about a positive turnaround on earth. Is there any reason not to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and God, to live with him, and to let his Spirit guide us? The world would truly be in a better state if the majority did this.

How fortunate that we do not let ourselves be influenced by the majority; otherwise, we would be like the people who believed the lies of the Pharisees and Legionnaires instead of the Risen One. No, we do not let ourselves be influenced by the masses and make our own decisions; thus, we may come to Jesus today, confess our sins to him, and have them forgiven, for that is why the Messiah ultimately allowed himself to be nailed to the cross!

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isajah 53:4-5)

That is the essence of the Gospel, and we hold fast to it. We won’t be fooled by the lies of Satan and his servants—they can keep their “Easter egg” for themselves! When we make Jesus our Lord, He fills us with His Holy Spirit, and so we are transformed from God’s creatures into God’s children—what a blessing.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”(Romans 8:17)

I can only urge everyone to take this step toward Jesus—and better today than tomorrow. I don’t know anyone who has ever regretted taking this step, and the “heavenly Jerusalem” awaits us as the ultimate reward. Please read my article “The Marriage of the Lamb” here on this website.

God bless you, Amen