Daily Lesson for August 2, 2018

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 27 verses 62 through 66:

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” 64Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ 65Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ 66So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

No matter how hard they try, the powers of this world cannot contain the hope of resurrection life.

Pilate sealed the tomb, set guards upon its perimeter, and laughed with contempt at the fantasies of Jesus’ followers. “Imposter!” he said about the Galilean. And without even a hint of the consciousness of irony, the official statement released from the Praetorium said that Jesus of Nazareth was “dead for good”.

But no one and no thing can be dead for good forever. The third day rolls around; and so does the stone. 

The Pharisees thought they were conspiring with Pilate to put an end to a rumor. But what they were actually up against was the truth. And the truth would not and could not be concealed. The truth has a way of popping even the most official of seals and making its appearance yet again.

Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life. He was the Resurrection and the Life. And so wherever he was there were all things — even in death. 

No death can hold back the things of life. No power of darkness can keep shut the power of light. 

In the end, all the seals are broken, and there is night and then morning then the new day. The seventh seal is broken, and there stands the angel, ready to trumpet the day of resurrection. 

Notice: there will be no Lesson tomorrow as I will be away at children’s camp and without communication service.