Pilate didn’t know the whole
truth. But then, no one did. Everyone in history faced the fact that ‘a
man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more.’ So it appeared to all of humanity for all of
time. But, lurking in the back of Pilate’s mind, perhaps, was Job’s old question,
‘If someone dies, will they live again?’
(Read Job 14:1-14)
Even Jesus’s secret friend,
Joseph, thought this was Jesus’ fate, to lie in a grave with the dead of all
time. So, he gave him a proper, an honorable burial, with Pilate’s permission.
Pilate would let this man he thought to be King be buried with dignity. But
when the religious leaders warned of a plot to steal the body on the third day,
Pilate, not knowing the whole truth, ordered the securing of the tomb stone and
posting a guard. (Read Matthew 27:57-66)
Ah, the best laid plans. We
know what happens to those when God decides to intervene, don’t we? Those plans
are made for naught. For our God was about to shine his face on his servant in the
darkness of the tomb, saving him in his unfailing love. (Read Psalm 31:1-4; 15-16)
“Because of the LORD’s great
love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every
morning. Great is thy faithfulness.” (Read Lamentations 3:1-9; 19-24)
Even in his death Jesus’
spirit was at work, preaching the Good News to the dead. (Read 1 Peter 4:1-8) Because there was no stone, no seal, no guard who could keep death’s
prey past the power of the coming dawn.
“Low in the grave he lay…waiting
the coming day.”
That is the whole truth.
Almost.
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