Basic HTML Version
Jesus Rests in Joseph’s Tomb
463
of Christ. “The chief priests and the 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 sepulcher 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 will be worse than the first.
Pilate said unto them, ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure
as ye can.”
Matthew 27:62-65
.
The priests gave directions for securing the sepulcher. A great
stone had been placed before the opening. Across this stone they
placed cords, sealing them with the Roman seal. A guard of one
hundred soldiers was then stationed around the sepulcher to prevent
it from being tampered with. Jesus was sealed as securely in His
tomb as if He were to remain there through all time.
But the efforts 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 arms were powerless to confine the Lord
of life within the tomb. The hour of His release was near.
[520]