Deception Talk

Here’s a question for you. Do you believe that there is still deception talk going around about Jesus’ Resurrection?

Check out these three stunning facts and see if anything of it obtains today.

The chief priests and the Pharisees have been troubled by the Nazarene, named Jesus, ever since He started talking as though He were God, or God’s Son or One equal to God. They have branded Him as diabolically evil, a downright deceiver and have had Him killed. But there is a deception going around about His resurrection and they want to ensure that this deception talk does not continue. It’s Resurrection Deception talk and we gather three things here.   

First: - To these religious men of God, this Jew called Jesus is a deceiver and an imposter. Even after His death, they still refer to Jesus as the deceiver. Let’s listen to how it goes.  We listen attentively as they speak to Pilate. We remember that while he was still alive the deceiver said, After three days I will rise again. Matthew 27: 63b. These enemies of Jesus remembered what He had said about His resurrection, but the dear friends of Jesus do not remember what their Master has said.

Second: - The deceiver is dead, yet these priests and elders cannot rest comfortably, for they see His deceit being reinforced by His followers.  They therefore act upon this possible deception, asking Pilate to ensure that the tomb of this imposter is secured until the third day. They tell Pilate that he must give the order, otherwise the disciples of this deceiver may steal the dead body of Jesus and tell people that He has risen from the dead.  They say, This last deception will be worse than the first.  Matthew 27: 64b. These religious men are not only remembering the words of the deceiver, but they are repeating the very sentiments of Jesus, in a different kind of way.  What exactly are they saying?  Are they not saying that the deceiving works of the deceiver’s disciples, would be even worse, than their Master’s?  These enemies of Jesus, without a doubt, can see this happening.  On the other hand, the friends of Jesus, His disciples, have been told by Jesus Himself, that if they believe and follow, they will do, not just the works He did, but even greater works.

These chief priests and elders see Jesus’ disciples as carrying on His works, which will be more powerful and greater even than their Master, who is now dead. But in their ignorance, they see this work as of the devil and not of God.  Now if the friends of Jesus will be as sure as those enemies of Jesus, about their ability to do greater works than their Master, will they not be fulfilling the words and sentiments of Jesus?    

Third: - These enemies of Jesus, even in His death, are leaving no stone unturned. They are not only remembering the words of Jesus and repeating His sentiments, but they are reinforcing all that Jesus has spoken. Is it not true that they are going through these lengths because they do not take this word of Jesus, lightly?  They receive the permission and authority to take one of Pilate’s guards and ensure that any ways to this final deception are foiled. The resurrection deception could never take place now, because a seal was put on the stone, one that could not be broken. In addition, a sentry was posted to keep watch. They were really ensuring that this resurrection deception could never take place.  

Now let’s reason this out. This fool proof method of stopping any deception from occurring is the sound proof, the reason, which holds up the case of all believers, for Resurrection Talk and Proclamation. Since no man could get in to steal the dead body, then that dead body had to have received resurrected life and burst out the sealed tomb, with its guard and all.

We repeat these three strong points. The chief priests and elders;

Remember the words of Jesus, about His resurrection.

Repeat the sentiments of Jesus, without even knowing it.

Reinforce the resurrection evidence, but they are not even aware of what they are doing.

We serve the Only, One True God.  He is all Powerful, all Wise and all Knowing. Even the ways of the enemy, He is able to use to His advantage. May our Lord give us the stubborn assurance and boldness of courage to know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the ways of the enemies and blockers among us, must never cause us to be afraid. Know that all they do to make our resurrection false, all they do to make our faith vain, all they do to cause us to become tentative in our belief, all they do to make us think that our Risen Lord is not here as He was before, are all known to Him.