032208

Matthew 27

The Guard at the Tomb

62The next day, that is, after the day of^(CL) Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, "Sir, we remember how^(CM) that impostor said, while he was still alive,^(CN) 'After three days I will rise.' 64Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day,^(CO) lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." 65Pilate said to them, "You have^(CP) a guard^[j] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." 66So they went and made the tomb secure by^(CQ) sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Can you imagine that day after the crucifixion, before the resurrection? What must have been going through the minds of the disciples? They must have really felt lost because they hadn't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit yet. Their hopes must have been totally wiped out. I can't help but feel the pain they must have felt, the tremendous loss. But, oh the joy they would feel in just 24 more hours!