Tag: secure
Make it secure as you can!
Scripture reading for February 6: Matthew 27
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. . . .The next day, the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive “After three days I will arise.” Therefore order the tomb to be made secure. . . .,Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” Matthew 27:57-66
Jesus had willingly given His life and blood on the cross according to plan and gave up His spirit after proclaiming His work done. A disciple named Joseph from Arimathea came to claim the body for burial in his own newly made tomb. He was obviously a friend of the family and the other disciples as well. His actions fulfilled prophesy (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus was only to be there temporarily as He had said. It would be a three-day lease!
But those who had Jesus crucified were also aware of Jesus’ claim to rise again after three days. They came to Pilate asking for help. In their world view, the only way Jesus’ body would arise is if someone would steal it from the grave. Pilate agreed with their view and assigned soldiers to guard the grave. His instructions to the armed Roman soldiers: “Make it as secure as you can.” These soldiers would be no match for the fishermen and tax collectors that followed the ‘Impostor’ Jesus. They sealed the stone and surrounded the grave site thinking all was secure! After all, it was foolish to believe in resurrection.
How does the announcement of Jesus, “After three days I will arise,” square with your understanding of our world? Why do you think those who crucified Jesus were worried about Jesus’ body disappearing? Do you think Pilate was at all concerned that Jesus might actually rise from the dead after three days?
Prayer: Father God, I am amazed by the prophetic preparation and fulfilment of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that is laid out in Scripture. Thank You for expanding my world view to include resurrection from the dead through Your Son’s resurrection. Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen!
Hold tight, don’t fall away!
Scripture reading for August 13th: Hebrews 6
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 6:4-9 “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things–things that belong to salvation.”
The writer of Hebrews was concerned about believers that were being enticed by family and religious ties to go back to Judaism and forsake the life of faith they had experienced. He plainly laid out the end result of leaving the faith (apostasy). Although they had once repented, they would be unable to return again. Their action would hold the Savior up to contempt in the eyes of other unbelievers and hinder God’s work of salvation in their lives. Like land that was cultivated to produce a crop but only produced thorns and thistles, they would be destined to eternal destruction. Paul was warning the believers to hold fast to Christ Jesus and the grace that comes from faith. He encouraged them that they had better things ahead as they held fast. They could be eternally secure in Christ alone!
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You that I am eternally secure in Christ Jesus and Your Almighty Hands. Help me daily to hear Your voice and follow You in the power of Your Holy Spirit. I desire to be blessed by You and bear fruit for Your glory and kingdom. Give me discernment to warn those who are in danger of falling away in these last days.
1st Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirts and teachings of demons, . .”