Wasted Watch

The Wasted Watch

Mt 27: 57 - 28:15

INTRO: Military Term: Guard duty, Duty, Post or Watch

*Something that all military personnel has to do sometime or another, stand watch They start you out in boot camp given us a stocking cap & flashlight saying watch for what, anything. Unauthorized people, or recruits sneaking out after ours. Training school same thing, walk the halls of an empty building called a fire watch. Once on board ship stood fire watch as a welder worked, quarterdeck watches as the sailors came & went from liberty & I stood radar watch at sea. All had their boring moments & wondered their necessity. But I never stood watch over a grave. The military tradition of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a special Tradition. But they are serious about keeping people away from that sacred tomb. We are assured there are remains from various wars of our past resting inside.

B. But we have a story of some soldiers given a task to guard a

grave to make sure it didn’t come back to life

1. That naturally sounds dumb

a. Bodies don’t come back to life

1. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guards protect & honor the dead

2. But these guarding Jesus’ grave have a different task

**A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. “But officer,” the man began, “I can explain.” “Just be quiet,” snapped the officer. “I’m going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back.” “But, officer, I just wanted to say—,” “I said to keep quiet! You’re going to jail!” A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, “Lucky for you that the chief’s at his daughter’s wedding. He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.” “Don’t count on it,” answered the fellow in the cell. “I’m the groom.”

b. Never did soldiers have so hopeless an assignment.

1. To keep Jesus in the tomb! It would be funny if it were not so

tragic.” Wasted Watch, Senseless sentinels.” Gullible Guards

I. Watch: We Can NOT Allow it to Happen 27: 63-66

A. Wound Up: It is over, Jesus is in the Grave ….?

1. History records that most crucified bodies remained on the

cross for the birds to devour

a. Or thrown in a common grave (open ditch trash pile)

2. But Joseph of Arimathaea begged Pilate for Jesus’ body for

a proper burial

a. Probably out of guilt for crucifying an innocent man he

relented to Joseph’s request

1. Since so late & work is not permitted by orthodox Jews on the

Sabbath. They could only do a partial job on the body of the Lord.

2. It would have to be completed on Sunday the day after

b. This now being late evening of the day before the Sabbath

3. That stirred up the minds of the religious leaders

a. Here it is the day after the preparation day (Sabbath)

b. Instead of being focused on the things of God, worship

1. Instead of Praising the Lord, were able to get rid of a religious nut

2. They are worried it isn’t over yet

c. On the Sabbath the confront a Gentile, they walk to the Palace

1. They are still plotting, planning working at getting rid of Jesus

permanently

B. Worried about His Word: They remember what Jesus said

1. His message always hit home, even when didn’t want to

believe it

a. For over 3 years this trouble maker had been a thorn in

their side

1. Finally got rid of him, but… If He is alive or even if said to be alive

it won’t be good for them

2. That brought together these strange partners

a. Sadducees & Pharisees

1. Sadducees are rationalist, elites who only believe what they see &

experience. Can’t see God or the spiritual realm so they don’t

believe in anything supernatural

2. Pharisee you’d think want to see God do something

a. They believed the scriptures, they know God does miracles

3. But both the Sadducees & Pharisees will loose power if Jesus is the

true Son of God the Messiah

a. He will change everything,

3. Therefore they can’t allow Jesus to rise or even be rumored

that He lives They want guards at the grave

C. Watched: Security in place

1. Rock Tomb, been dug carved out of solid rock wall

a. only 1 entrance & exit

2. Large Stone door to cover the entrance

a. The ladies realized on their way, they couldn’t move it and

there were probably at least 5 in the group

1. Groove in the ground to roll away & to wedge the stone into place in