The Report of the Guard

Today's Reflections 
 

The Report of the Guard 

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Mt 28:8-15

⁸[Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce [the good news] to [Jesus’] disciples. ⁹And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

¹¹While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. ¹²They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, ¹³telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy [him] and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day].

They gave a large sum of money. By doing everything they can to conceal the truth, the chief priests and their conspirators only succeed in selling it. If the soldiers were truly asleep as they are instructed to tell the people, they are not supposed to know that Jesus’ disciples came and took his body away.

The Roman guard is ordinarily composed of 60 soldiers. It is unlikely that all those soldiers were asleep at the same time. Granting that at least one of them was awake when it happened, again it would be unlikely that he would not waken up the other soldiers. The penalty for soldiers caught sleeping while on duty is death. Aside from the bribe that is presumably a large amount, the chief priests must assure the soldiers that they will be spared from that severe penalty if they fully cooperate.

It is very unfortunate that instead of appreciating the overwhelming evidence in favor of Jesus’ resurrection, the chief priests stick to their obstinate unbelief while the soldiers choose to duplicate what Judas did—to exchange everlasting heavenly treasure for fleeting worldly gain.

The truth of the resurrection

is not dependent on people’s belief.

Whether they accept it or not,

                        it will not change the truth that Jesus is risen