The Bible Edge
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Matthew 28:15
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
So they took the money… This is reminiscent of the spirit of Achan way back there in Joshua 7:21. When i saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. Or Eve in Genesis 3:6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. These three all did the same thing. They saw, and they took, but that which they took should not have been taken.
Concerning these soldiers, they took large money (verse 12) to lie about the body of Christ being stolen away by his disciples. This is a classic case of "projection." For the motive of receiving a large amount of money, they projected their lie upon the disciples. They said basically that the disciples lied about the Lord's resurrection as they themselves were lying about Him being carried away by those disciples. Because of this lie, how many individuals have rejected Christ as the Messiah? It's an untold number that will never be known this side of eternity.
For money they lied, they took the money instead of taking Christ. After all, it was He that said in Matthew 20:19, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. This saying must have been known by many because in Matthew 27:63 the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate and said: ...Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days i will rise again. Which prompted Pilate to give them freedom to ...go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Matthew 27:65
They failed. They could not keep Jesus in the grave. "Up from the grave He arose, a mighty triumph over His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!" No matter how great the money is that opposes this truth it is not enough! Money cannot erase the truth of God's Word, for God's Word is eternal whereas money is temporal. The Bible Edge concerning money for today is a simple warning. Be careful of great money that sometimes suborns deceit about great things of faith. Additionally, always be careful about taking things that should not be taken.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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