Matthew 28:2, 6-7, 12-13

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.“

”He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.”  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.’ ”

LIES

The guards did not want to admit they were so afraid they passed out.  They did not want to admit they did not know what happened to Jesus’ body.  So, they lied.  The chief priests and elders made the decision to continue that lie.  Satan smiled as first 30 pieces of silver and now a large sum of money caused men to sin.  Lies.  Oh, and how easy it is to make humans believe a lie.

Satan knows when a believer is vulnerable.  A believer overhears something that makes them wonder.  Satan has found the gap he is looking for.  He begins to whisper words like NO HOPE or HOW DO YOU KNOW or ARE YOU SURE.  Then he begins to lie.  How easy it is to replace the truth.  One small lie and then another until the lie seems to make sense.  Quickly the lie spreads.  Quickly the truth is forgotten.

Our son-in-law and I were having one of our conversations.  This time about Satan and how Satan can corrupt anything.  He makes simple things confusing.  I asked what is the biggest lie Satan uses today and Jon’s answer was where we came from, eternal life, and how we get there.

BUT, it was the answer he received from a 20 year old friend that shows how tricky Satan can be.  He answered, “Satan’s best trick was convincing the world and this generation that even he doesn’t exist.  Let alone God.  He’s devious that is for sure.”

Satan’s power comes from lies.  If Satan can get people to believe the first small lie, he will get them to believe the next and the next.

And the lie will make sense and the truth will be forgotten.

Matthew 28:15

“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.”

SERIES RECAP

Change happens.  Are you willing to allow the actions of one man to impact your life?

Jesus offered the disciples the job of a lifetime.  Are you willing to accept his call to “follow me”?

A Son obeyed his Father and died to save you from your sins.  Do you accept this gift of forgiveness?

Sometimes we wear blinders and cannot see.  Have your eyes been opened?  Can you see Jesus?

Have the lies of Satan made you question the Truth of God? Do you believe?

Easter is early this year - March 31.  Are you ready?