Rogues of the Resurrection
Sermon for 4/4/2010- Easter Sunday
Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-8, 11-15
Introduction:
Louisiana does not have a good track record when it comes to corruption. Based on numbers from a Justice Department report in 2009, Louisiana is the most corrupt state, with 7.67 convictions per 100,000 residents over nine years. U.S. Rep. William Jefferson was busted in a 2005 influence-peddling scheme with, according to an affidavit, "$90,000…in the freezer, in $10,000 increments wrapped in aluminum foil and stuffed inside frozen-food containers." In November of last year, he received a 13-year prison sentence, the longest ever handed to a congressman for bribery. Edwin Edwards served four terms as governor of Louisiana over the period of 1972 to 1996. He beat two dozen corruption investigations. In 2000, the good times stopped rolling; Edwards received a 10-year federal prison sentence for extorting money from casino boat owners seeking licenses. Another thought is that maybe Louisiana is cracking down on corruption more than other states.
WBTU:
A. A rogue is an unprincipled person, a scoundrel. A rogue exhibits corruption. Corruption is actions that are immoral and perverse; depraved and dishonest. A rogue is also an opportunist- a person who takes advantage of opportunities for self advancement, usually with no regard for principles or scruples.
B. The chief priests, Pharisees, and elders are rogues, full of corruption. The soldiers also are rogues but also opportunists, taking advantage where they can.
C. The sad part about this is that the religious leaders should know better- only looking out for themselves. (Ezek 34:8 NIV) As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,(Ezek 34:9 NIV) therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:(Ezek 34:10 NIV) This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
D. Only Matthew gives the actions and attitudes of these rogues of the resurrection.
Thesis: Today we see several examples of corruption in the religious leaders and these soldiers.
For instances:
1. In the religious leaders
A. Laws about the Sabbath (27:62-66)
1. The chief priests and Pharisees who went to Pilate (vs. 62) were breaking the laws about the Sabbath. The day before not willing to enter Pilate’s place because it would make them ceremonially unclean - but as long as all of their fellow Jews were at home, they went ahead and broke the Sabbath in order to make sure Jesus would remain dead.
2. (John 19:31-33 NIV) Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
B. Offered the soldiers a bribe (28:11-12)
1. They have already given Judas a bribe of 30 pieces of silver. Probably gave these soldiers (maybe as many of 16) more than 30 pieces of silver apiece.
2. (Prov 17:8 NIV) A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. This verse merely states a common trait among unscrupulous men and gives no judgment upon it. In the same chapter it says: (Prov 17:23 NIV) A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
C. Encouraged the soldiers to tell a lie. (28:13)
1. (Lev 19:11 NIV) “'Do not steal. "'Do not lie. "'Do not deceive one another.
2. (Exo 23:7 NIV) Have nothing to do with a false charge
D. If the soldiers did as they were told, the religious leaders would protect them. (28:14)
1. Why did they report to the chief priests? Pilate assigned them to the chief priests. They had to please these men in order to please Pilate. If they did what the chief priests wanted, them Pilate would ask no questions.
2. (Psa 26:9 NIV) Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, (Psa 26:10 NIV) in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
2. In the soldiers
A. Fear of death
(Acts 12:18-19 NIV) In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.
B. Took the money (28:15)
1. (Exo 23:8 NIV) “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
2. The soldiers in Jesus’ day had good benefits but were paid poorly. Many times they resorted to extortion and bribes to make a good living. (Luke 3:14 NIV) Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
C. Told lies (28:13)
1. Go back to what they really saw in 28:2-4. It’s ironic isn’t it - how the living guards - who were sent to keep the dead from coming alive - end up becoming like the dead! This is how God works. These soldiers were reduced to scared little children in the presence of just one angel. All their training and battle experience did them no good.
2. In a court of law Perry Mason or Matlock would have eliminated this testimony. “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we slept." “Oh, I see. You know what happened while you were sleeping. Is that it? While you were asleep, you saw the disciples come and steal the body, did you? You can't have it both ways.”
D. These lies are still told today (28:15)
1. Matthew is writing about 30 years later, somewhere around 63 A.D. And he is saying at this very time 30 years later, this is the dominant theory circulating among the Jews that the disciples stole the body. The popular view today is that someone stole the body.
2. Called Jesus “that deceiver (27:63)”. “This last deception (27:64)” really was their own. They were the deceivers and the ones spreading deception.
3. (Isa 5:20 NIV) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
E. What other choice did these soldiers have? These soldiers were between a rock and a hard place. What choice did Joseph have with Potiphar’s wife? What choice did David have with King Saul? They did the right thing even though it cost them.
F. So, the soldiers became preachers of the anti-gospel for the sake of money. They were crass. They were materialistic. They were self-indulgent.
How did Matthew know this information?
1. From Nicodemus and/or Joseph of Arimathea or someone else on the Sanhedrin. Probably disgusted with the Sanhedrin for their corruption.
2. From some of the soldiers. A secret can only be kept so long.
3. Holy Spirit. (Heb 4:13) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
So what?
1. Our sins will find us out
A. (Num 32:23 NIV) You may be sure that your sin will find you out. Or “You will suffer for your sins.”
B. (John 16:8 NIV) When he (Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment
C. (Psa 32:5 NIV) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
2. This is the greatest proof of the resurrection
A. This is the story of the enemies of Jesus Christ and what they did.
B. They did not investigate; they did not go to the tomb. Why? Because they knew from Jesus’ teachings that something was supposed to happen at the tomb. The religious leaders knew Jesus’ teachings better than Jesus’ disciples. They wanted to cover it up at all costs. The facts didn’t change their lives. (2 Cor 4:4 NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
C. (Phil 3:18 NIV) for, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. (Phil 3:19 NIV) Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (Phil 3:20 NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
