The Lie That Proves the Resurrection Matthew 28: 11 – 15 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” Matt. 18:12-13

Introduction Many people throughout history have rejected the resurrection They forfeit the future life and are left without true meaning or significance in the present life Many theories have explained away the resurrection; two are: Swoon Theory Theft Theory Even the deceitful scheme by the Jewish leaders became a rich and compelling argument for the resurrection

The Plot (vv. 11-14) While the women were on their way 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. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. (Matthew 28:11-14) While the women were on their way the women to whom Jesus had just spoken were on their way to tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee

The Plot (vv. 11-14) Some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened The earthquake, the rolling away of the stone, the blazing angel sitting on the stone, and the empty tomb Chief priests were not interested in verifying the soldiers’ story Did not matter if Jesus was raised They would never believe Him “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:26) Chief priests’ concern was to keep the news from their fellow Jews

The Plot (vv. 11-14) Chief priests met with the elders and devised a plan; their plan had three parts To bribe the guards They gave the guards a large sum of money To spread a lie about the body being stolen by the disciples “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep” To protect the soldiers if Pilate became aware “If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble” Through their plan, the Jewish leaders willfully rejected Christ, despite the evidence, and their spiritual stubbornness was testimony to the apostasy of Israel’s leaders

The Propagation (v. 15) Soldiers gladly took the money – overjoyed 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. (Matt. 18:15) Soldiers gladly took the money – overjoyed Would not be punished Would even be rewarded with money This story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day Refers to the time of Matthew’s writing, about A.D. 63 Attempt to discredit any claim by the disciples of Jesus’ resurrection

Conclusion Jewish leaders’ plan was wicked and self-serving It fit perfectly into God’s much greater and sovereign plan God did not want unbelievers to proclaim the true gospel of the resurrection Resurrection would be proclaimed only by those whose hearts were committed to the risen Savior and Lord The story that denies the resurrection provides evidence for the resurrection Came from Jesus’ enemies, so should be all the more convincing