and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there they will see me.” As the women proceeded on their way,
some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. The chief
priests met with the elders, and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, “Say
that his disciples came by night while you were asleep, and stole the body of Jesus. If Pilate comes to
know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers accepted the money and did
as they were told. This story has circulated among the Jews until this day.
Reflection:
The resurrection was a joyful occasion for the disciples. It is the
vindication of their beliefs. The first to experience such joy are the women.
Perhaps it is logical that they should. The first joy of the incarnation was
experienced by a young virgin. They shared this joy to the disciples. They
see the Lord and they believed immediately. The male disciples on the other
hand need to have multiple resurrection encounters before they believe. On the
other hand, the soldiers guarding the tomb and the chief priests are perplexed.
Try as they might, they are powerless to contain the body of the Lord. For
genuine joy bursts forth and gushes like a dam that breaches its embankment.
The resurrection until now continues to provide joyful hope to believers.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021