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Jesus Rests in Joseph’s Tomb
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body of Christ. “The chief priests and Pharisees gathered together
to Pilate, saying, ‘Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how
that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore command
that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples
come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, “He has
risen from the dead.” So the last deception will be worse than the
first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it
as secure as you know how.’”
Matthew 27:62-65
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The priests gave directions for securing the tomb. A great stone
had been placed over the opening. Across this stone they placed
cords, sealing them with the Roman seal. Then they stationed a
guard of one hundred soldiers around the tomb to prevent anyone
from tampering with it. Jesus was sealed as securely in His tomb as
if He were to remain there through all time.
But the efforts they made to prevent Christ’s resurrection are the
most convincing arguments in its proof. The greater the number of
soldiers placed around the tomb, the stronger would be the testimony
that He had risen. Roman might was powerless to confine the Lord
of life within the tomb. The hour of His release was near.
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