Have you ever wondered about the backstory behind the Roman soldiers who were ordered to guard Jesus’ tomb? There must be a backstory there, right? Can you imagine getting tapped to guard a dead guy… over the weekend… in a cemetery… even throughout the night. Yikes. This assignment must have been the Roman Army equivalent of modern day KP duty.
Centurion: “Alright, alright, listen up!” We just drew a new assignment. I need four volunteers to guard the tomb of a dead guy over the weekend. Any takers? No? Alright, Frank, Pete, Ralph and Billy, since you apparently don’t value keeping your shields polished correctly — you’re up!”
What was the conversation like between those soldiers as they walked to the cemetery? Pete: “I told you guys we should have skipped the seafood boil and seen to our equipment… but nooooo… Ralph, you just HAD to have some clams… Now, the whole weekend is ruined.” Ralph: “Shut up Pete, you spent the whole time talking to Tammy. You wanted to go as bad as me…” Billy: “Did anybody bring a deck of cards?” Yep, it must have been PRETTY boring Friday night, all day long Saturday and Saturday night… and a little bit spooky too.
Sunday morning as the sun crept up over the horizon and spilled its golden rays across that garden cemetery, Frank was preparing to wake the others as he completed his shift at post, when suddenly a massive earthquake rocked the ground! A bright streak of light resembling lightning fell from the sky and with a mighty impact that cracked the ground, an 8 foot tall, gleaming angel landed before the tomb. Ignoring the soldiers he strode to the tomb and throwing his shoulder against the massive stone that sealed the entrance he effortlessly heaved it open.
And those soldiers reacted just like I would have… they fell down as though they were dead. (Matt. 28:4) Yep… “Quick! Play opossum!” Ralph hissed… I mean, come on… what else could they have done? Engaged that angel in battle? Common Roman soldiers, perhaps below average ones at that, because they drew such a seemingly awful assignment… were privy to the greatest event in human history — if they didn’t actually pass out from fear.
But whether they were conscious after the angel’s visit or not, they obviously knew something extraordinary had just taken place. The earthquake. The Angel. And a decidedly empty tomb told the story of a wonderful and miraculous event. Surely they became proclaimers of the truth that Jesus had risen from the dead! Right? Wrong.
Some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Matthew 28:11-15 NLT
Are. You. Kidding. Me?? With whom are YOU most disappointed? The religious leaders who had compelling testimony that Jesus had actually risen from the dead, proving him to be whom he claimed to be… or Roman soldiers who grabbed an opportunity to pad their pockets and make a buck? What wonderful realities could have been for them… but never were?
Yet it is obvious that many people today hesitate to believe too. They dismiss the evidence as perfunctory or just consider Jesus’ resurrection as a nice religious story instead of the monumental event it was. Those soldiers… they knew the truth… and it made no difference in their life, and the religious leaders were more concerned about protecting their power. What a shame. Today we gather to worship the Risen Jesus! Jesus’ resurrection ought to change everything about your life, because he is alive! Do you believe? I hope so!
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