“Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”  And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone” (Matthew 27:65-66).

Secure from the outside, but not from the inside, the guard stood watch.  The guard was looking out and not in.  We often look out and not in.  Our Savior will transform us from the inside out.  The world’s attacks go from the outside in.  The Lord can overcome every barrier to meet those who will turn by faith and trust him as He frees all who believe from the sentence of death, and into new and true life.

Lord, You have laid the story out so that all who believe by the power of the Holy Spirit can plainly see how it is that You accomplish salvation.  The corrupt and self-serving heart is turned inward.  But You roll away the obstacle and we can walk out.  The light is shining, we just need to open the door of our heart to see.  None can ever keep you out, for through You all things exist.

Lord Jesus, in the mystery of the grave and the resurrection, You have revealed that You are the truth.  You have reached into my soul and touched me with Your grace.  Lead me to learn how to trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your grace to see the truth more clearly with each step that I take.  Guide me on this journey that I may be transformed and trust You always amidst the contrary messages of this world.  Amen.

“Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first” (Matthew 27:64).

So filled with hatred and unbelief, they heard but did not believe that it would happen.  The demons believed and they trembled.  The disciples heard and did not believe.  There are those in this world who still believe the resurrection is a myth.  There are others who hear and do not believe.  Some do not hear, but want to believe.  It is not myth, but reality that death cannot contain God.  Many have come to believe.

Lord, the same struggle goes on around us with people who believe all kinds of things.  Guide those who believe so that we do not struggle in this sin-filled world, but believe.  We need Your help so that the obstacles that are placed in the way of belief may be taken down.  You have prepared all things in order that those who believe may live into a life of faith, trusting You at all times and in all places.  The cynical deny the truth, but the faithful trust.  Lead us to trust.

Lord Jesus, You gave up Your life.  It was not taken from You; You gave it up.  You were placed in a grave, but no grave can hold You.  Lead me in the faith You have given me that amidst the wrangling and the constant turmoil of this age I may live out the faith You have given me, trusting You always.  Savior and lover of my soul, guide me now and always, showing me the steps I must take.  Amen.

“Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again’” (Matthew 27:62-63).

Sometimes those who have no faith anticipate what the believers are unable to fathom.  In their unbelief, they wanted to cover all the bases without truly believing what Jesus said.  They did not believe He would rise, but they weren’t going to take any chances.  Even though Jesus did rise, there are still those who think it was a hoax.  This is the story of rebellious humanity, to wanting to control circumstances.

Lord, You know the control issues I have.  I want things to turn out a certain way.  I will make plans to assure that they go the way I think they should go.  Help me to learn how to listen to You and hear as You direct, doing what You are asking me to do.  You are the One who knows all things and it will be as You have already determined.  Guide me into faith so that I may live the life You have given me through faith.

Lord Jesus, You who through whom all things have their being, lead me to trust every word You have spoken.  Guide me to live knowing that You have accomplished salvation for all who believe.  Keep me from the plots, twists and turns of those who constantly try to control outcomes.  Guide me now and always to humbly walk in the truth which You have already revealed for all who believe.  Amen.

“And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave” (Matthew 27:59-61).

The two women and Joseph were there preparing the body for the grace.  By their actions, they did not yet realize what would happen.  Although Jesus told them, they did not yet believe.  How many times do we not believe what the Lord tells us?  Faithful to Him, yes, but unbelieving of what He has told us.  The Lord calls upon us to learn how to live a life that trusts Him above all things.

Lord, You know that I go through the motions of the religion I have learned, often without even thinking about it.  I try to live rightly; but do I trust You above all things?  You know that I do not.  There may be good things that I think I’m doing, but is it really good when it goes against what You have said?  Help my unbelief so that I may see where I am doing what I think is good, but not believing in what You have said.

Lord Jesus, there are many things I do not understand.  I want to be faithful and Your grace covers me when I act amid things what I do not understand, but lead me so that I gain more understanding and live my faith learning how to trust all of what You have said.  Help me to not stay within my comfort zone and instead boldly to be willing to step forward into new insight and understanding.  Amen.

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him” (Matthew 27:57-58).

There are those, obedient to the Lord, who do what is needed.  In every fellowship, the faithful step up and do the right thing.  A part of the doing is a part of the journey of becoming.  He became a disciple of Jesus and honored Him even in death.  Not knowing what would happen, he moved ahead with honoring Jesus.  Live your faith honoring the Lord even if you do not know what the outcome will be.

Lord, I often wonder whether or not my faith is such that I could step out amid the hostility around me and do what is right.  People in power hated Jesus.  Joseph went into the middle of this and was willing to do what was right with the possibility of great cost to his safety and well-being.  We need help to see from this example that trusting the Lord above all things is always the right thing to do even if sometimes threatening. 

Lord Jesus, even in Your death there were those who honored and served You.  In life and through my daily living, without threat, there are times when I do not honor You.  Teach me how to honor You at all times so that I live with courage the kind of life You are leading me to live.  Guide me in the way to live that I would care less about what others around me are thinking and more about what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

“Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him.  Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee” (Matthew 27:55-56).

How many look from a distance.  Even those who regularly attend worship seem to be looking from a distance.  But this is not something to watch, but a life to be lived.  The women would act and although they did not yet know for sure what needed to happen, they would go to the tomb and, in faith, attend to Jesus.  We are called to step out in faith no matter what we think, for the Lord will accomplish all that is needed.

Lord, I see many things and sometimes it causes me to stop and do nothing.  Help me to be one who is living and doing what You give me to do.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk by faith.  Let my faith blossom to belief without doubt and through my actions grow in me what You intend.  Lead me, Lord, so that I willingly follow despite my circumstances, trusting in You always.

Lord Jesus, there are times when all seems hopeless.  Knowing that the resurrection has happened provides hope beyond the circumstances of this world.  Though there are times when I do not see good things around me, help me to look to You, the One who gives the greatest hope of all.  While the world sinks into hopelessness, help me to live with the hope that is above all doubt as I trust that You have accomplished salvation for all who believe.  Amen.

“Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

It does not matter who you are or what your circumstances are; if you are willing to see the truth, you will see the power of God at work.  The Lord desires that none should perish.  The awakening to faith has been happening amongst every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation all along.  Yes, this is the only begotten Son of the Father.  He who was crucified and resurrected, accomplished salvation for all who will believe.

Lord, I see that You show no partiality.  You will awaken all who are willing to come to You by faith and trust that You in Trinity are God.  Guide me to live into the life You offer me in faith so that I do not just see but believe.  Help me to be aware of what is happening so that I see things that You are showing me.  Through all things, be the One who leads me in this life of faith which You have given me.

Lord Jesus, in great love You have taken all my iniquities, and they died with You on the cross.  Take me out of the grave to live the new life You have given me in this faith which is mine in and through You.  Help me to live in such a way that my actions are outwardly directed, serving You and others according to the Father’s will.  Lead me every step of the way as I walk the life of faith, abiding in You, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:52-53).

Many bodies of the saints were raised.  Is there a resurrection?  Yes.  These are they who were faithful and fell asleep awaiting the Messiah.  They had faith in Jesus even though they did not know who He would be.  Faith is the firm assurance that God will accomplish what He has promised.  Time does not matter.  Trusting the Lord is above what we think we know.  Trust in the One who has accomplished our salvation.

Lord, You have been calling all who would receive You regardless of what they do or do not know.  Help me to realize how little I really know so that I would not rely upon what I know, but trust You who knows all things.  Lead me in the salvation You have given me so that I follow the path that You have set before me.  Guide me in Your mercy and goodness to know that You will accomplish all that You have promised.

Lord Jesus, with Your resurrection You have shown us that all who trust in You will be resurrected in a resurrection like Yours to abide with You forever.  You have accomplished salvation for all who believe.  Remove my unbelief and lead me in the upward calling You have given me through faith.  Teach me what I need to know and help me to trust You above all things.  You must be the One who leads me always.  Amen.

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51).

That which covered the Holy of holies was thrown open.  The unapproachable God (or so it was perceived) is now approachable.  God is with us.  God is for those who repent and turn in grace to Christ.  The power which created all things reminds us that it is He who holds all power and authority.  The signs are given.  The faithful see them and tremble, the unfaithful shrug them off with some sort of excuse.

Lord, the unbelieving in this world do not see the things that You make so clear.  They do not want to believe and so they reject every effort to see what is plain to see.  Help us, Lord, so that the faithful see the signs that You give.  There is no longer a veil that hinders our ability to draw near to You.  Lead us so that we draw near to You, who is the truth, and the way to the eternal life made possible through the cross.

Lord Jesus, the curious want to know where You went.  Help me to have fewer and fewer questions and more and more trust in You, my Lord and Savior.  You died the death I deserve for me to live the life for which I was created.  You have opened the way to learn right living.  Guide me, Jesus, for I need help every step of the way, including that final step in this age when I shall die.  Thank You, Jesus, for the salvation You offer.  Amen.

“But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit” (Matthew 27:49-50).

Who is in control?  The illusion of this age is that we can have power and control.  It is an illusion, which is why the wicked are such control freaks.  They do not really have power, so they intimidate to make others think they do.  That is the way of the wicked one.  Our Lord has all authority and power.  Life was not taken from Him; He willingly gave it up.  “And He yielded up His spirit.”

Savior of the world, all authority and power are Yours.  You have come to rescue the lost and forsaken.  You have come not to control, but to take us out of the chaos of this age into the order of the eternal goodness of the Father.  The sinful ways of this world become clearer as the faith You give grows deeper.  Your peace surpasses this world’s because it reminds us that You have always been in control amidst all this rebellion.

Guide me always, Lord Jesus, into the calmness of Your intentionality.  Even in the worst of circumstances – Your dying on the cross – You displayed Your eternal power by giving it up for us.  You gave up Your Spirit.  Lord Jesus, only You have that ability.  All ability I have comes through You.  Abide in me, Jesus, so that I may live the life the Father intends.  Teach me how to become like You in all things You give me to do.  Amen.