Why Would They Die For A Lie (Brief Sermon After Easter Cantata 2022)

WHY WOULD THEY DIE FOR A LIE

Text: Matthew 28: 1 - 4, 11- 15

Matthew 28:1 - 4  After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  (2)  And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  (3)  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  (4)  For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ……….. (11) While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened.  (12)  After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers,  (13)  telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.'  (14)  If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."  (15)  So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day (NRSV).

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one can get to God the Father in heaven except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus was the Word full of grace and truth that had come from God the Father (John 1:14). He also, said “know the truth and the truth will make you free:” (John John 8:32). The Greek word that is used in John 1:14, John 14:6 and John 8:32 is Aletheia which means what is true objectively under any consideration and pertains to who we are and how we are called to operate as Christians because the truth is our “true North”----our compass. (https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/aletheia.html).

Therefore, God’s truth is indisputable!

HUSH MONEY AND A BRIBE

In the aftermath of Jesus’s crucifixion, death and resurrection the were some who concocted a story to save themselves. That is what Matthew 28:11- 15 tells us. There was the truth (Aletheia) versus the manufactured truth of those who conspired together to save their own skin (Matthew 28:14). They had a bribe and hush money in a story that is still told to this day.

“A person will easily be content and pacified whose conscience is pure. If you consider what you are within, you will not care what others say concerning you. People consider the deeds, but God weighs the intentions. (Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press). When others look at the outward appearance God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7) .

Psalm 24:3-4  Who, then, ascends into the presence of the Lord? And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place?  (4)  Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure.

The chief priests, elders and the guards conspired together for a lie! (Matthew 28:11 - 15). Lying is a dangerous game because the devil was a liar (John 8:44)! They denied the “truth that would have set them free”!

THE TRUTH (Aletheia) AND THE DISCIPLES

They did not waver from the truth (Aletheia)!

Why would they die for a lie? From a sources off the internet we know that …

(1) The Apostle James … Acts 12:2 where it is told that Herod Agrippa killed him with a sword. Date of Martyrdom: 44-45 A.D.

(2)The Apostle Peter … Jesus told him in John 21:18-19 … asked to be crucified "head downward. " Date of Martyrdom: ca. 64 A.D.

(3)The Apostle Andrew … six years after Peter's death… he too was crucified for his faith. Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(4)The Apostle Thomas … was thrust through with pine spears, tormented with red-hot plates, and burned alive. Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

(5)The Apostle Philip … evangelized in Phrygia where hostile Jews had him tortured and then crucified. [another source says he was excuted by hangiing]. 3 Date of Martyrdom: 54 A.D.

(6)The Apostle Matthew ... death by beheading at Nad-Davar. [other accounts say a sword wound killed him]2 Date of Martyrdom: 60-70 A.D.

(7)The Apostle Nathanael … he was flayed and then crucified. Date of Martyrdom: 70 A.D.

The Apostle James the Lesser … was cast down from the Temple [ the same pinnacle where Satan tempted Jesus]2 and finally beaten to death with a fuller's club to the head. Date of Martyrdom: 63 A.D.

(8)The Apostle Simon the Zealot … being crucified by a governor in Syria. Date of Martyrdom: 74 A.D.

(9)The Apostle Judas Thaddeus aka Jude … beaten to death with sticks, showing to the world that Christ was indeed Lord and God. Date of Martyrdom: 72 A.D.