Down through history no one but those who refuse the truth has disputed the fact that the tomb in which Jesus was laid is now empty. Very few, except those with hardest of hearts, have disputed the fact that he lived on earth.  But many have disputed and still do that he was and is the Son of God and shall forever be so. Many have no trouble with the first two but the latter is their stumbling block and that is where they lose the peace that Jesus gives to all.

But who else would have been in that tomb? The historical account isn’t questioned by knowledgeable students of the Bible, and Pilate was so sure that it was Jesus that he posted guards to keep him from being stolen, the account of which is in Mathew 27:62-66: Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64  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. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. They were scared and had no peace of mind that things would turn out right.

Using the worldly standards of bringing peace, they didn’t because Jesus rose from the grave and then they tried to cover their tracks by telling the soldiers to lie, providing encouragement to do so with a bribe. In Matthew 28:11-15: 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. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. There is an irony in the verses about what the Jews did that is sometimes missed. The fact that they concocted the story of his disappearance shows that they knew who he was and believed secretly that he was raised from the dead. Buy they couldn’t tell anyone that he did leave the grave as promised since it would destroy their hold over the people. They had no peace and yet they could have if they had confessed that Jesus is the Christ and the one whom they had been seeking. Belief in Jesus would have solved the problem of conscience and their trying to make amends for sinful deeds. That the elders of that time could not do. They chose the path of unrest instead of peace with God.

The people of the world today have chosen the path of hate and unrest, looking for the peace that eludes them and which they won’t find through worldly pursuits. There is a song that speaks to peace on earth and it says that it first begins with me. That is the whole personal message of the gospel of Christ. Peace begins when an individual obeys the message and follows Jesus. That is the peace he leaves and it is peace that passes all understanding.

© 03-06-2003 DEC

Revised 06-01-2008

                   Next Lesson There Is Power In God’s Word