40 Days of Easter Devotional April25

40 Days of Easter - April 25, 2011

Written by: The Hess Family in Poplar, Montana
Concealed Truth for a Price
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Focus Verse: So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Matthew 28:15

The soldiers were going back to town while the women were going to the tomb. The soldiers saw that Jesus was not in the tomb. They were surprised and hurried back to the town to tell the priests and councilmen of the news. They offered money to the soldiers to keep the news quiet. They asked the soldiers to lie and say that the followers stole Him. The soldiers took the money and were promised they would be protected from the reaction of the governor when he heard that Jesus' body could not be found.

It's ironic, isn't it? I wonder if the soldiers had seen the women. I wonder if the women had seen the soldiers. It was all perfect timing. It was part of the great plan of God. The soldiers saw with their own eyes that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. They knew that they didn?t put Him anywhere. They hurried back to tell the news; they were probably very frightened not only for their own lives but also for the question burning in their hearts: "Who is this Jesus?" They knew that they had killed Him, but where was He? I am sure they conversed a great deal heading back to town that day. The reaction of the council was crazy, too. They just wanted to cover it up, pay a price to conceal the truth. No one knew that day that there was no chance of concealing the truth, no price great enough from mankind to cover the truth. You see, God gave His one and only Son to die for all mankind. There was no greater price; it was all He had to give to show the world His love and compassion. It was God's sacrifice, His one and only Son Jesus.

The Word of God reminds us that God wanted the world to know and believe in His Son (John 3:16). The money exchange that day made no difference. Everyone still knew the truth. In fact, the soldiers displayed belief in their unbelief by telling the good news to the council. God had His own way of telling the story; it reached the unbelievers, and, by their actions, they displayed true belief. They would not have wanted to conceal the truth if the truth did not exist. Amazing, huh? God sent His Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world, and He wished that no man perish, but that all men would have everlasting life! The price? His Son Jesus. We have the story in the Holy Bible His written Word. It was not concealed; the story continues to be told from generation to generation. The truth is at our fingertips, and we praise God that although man continues to rebel and turn from God, God has a plan to reveal the truth to all men.

Application: Do you understand the price that was paid for your salvation? Do you tell others, or do you conceal the truth for a better time?

Lord, please help me cherish the price on Calvary that very special day. Jesus died for me and all mankind. Help me to remember the sacrifice and Your love for me. I am so thankful for my life in Christ. Help me tell others about Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen.