Today’s passage: Matthew 27:57-66
Helpful thoughts:
- A rich man became a disciple…because with God, anything is possible. (Matthew 19:23-26)
- Jesus burial in Joseph’s tomb fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:9).
- The account of Joseph’s work for burial and the two Marys being present gives validation/eye witness account of the death of Jesus Christ. He did not swoon. He did not resuscitate. He was dead.
- The Jewish leaders knew of the prospect of the resurrection, or at least the attempt at an appearance of resurrection (Matthew 12:38-40). So, they were given permission to take away any possibility of interference. Jesus’ body was well guarded and sealed by Rome.
- The Jewish leaders were also well aware of the possible ramification if a resurrection story got out. People would believe.
Questions to consider:
- Why is it important for Matthew to have shared all of this information? Why would he name names and mention eyewitnesses? Why would he share about the added security and the motives of the chief priests and Pharisees?
- Is it OK for people to call the Bible “religious material” and therefore not acceptable for historical proof? Why or why not? Should we always eliminate sources of historical events because the writers actually believe the events they recorded happened?
- How should all of this information and the efforts of the unbelievers to prevent a hoax encourage our faith? How should the eye witness accounts throughout the writers of the NT encourage our faith?