1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. The Plot (vv )
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

5. The Plot (vv )
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

6. 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

7. 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