We read this portion of Matthew 27 yesterday, but the focus was on Joseph of Arimathea. I want to go back and consider what happens with the religious leaders and Pilate. Matthew’s gospel is the only one that mentions them at all after the resurrection. It’s sobering and disappointing.
At the moment of Jesus’ death and the concurrent earthquake, the Roman Centurion overseeing the crucifixion seemingly had a change of heart, declaring out loud that surely Jesus was the Son of God. What this meant to him, as a Roman, isn’t clear. As you likely remember from the mythology units in your high school English classes, it was not uncommon for a “son of the gods” to suffer or die. Nonetheless, the centurion noted that something was different about Jesus.
Did Jesus’ death change the hearts of Pilate and the religious leaders? No chance. In fact, the religious leaders use a new title for Jesus we’ve not yet heard - The Deceiver.
We might like to think that the thing of death - particularly a brutal one like Jesus’ - might soften everyone’s hearts and bring about some kumbaya. But the very sad reality is that it doesn’t do that for all.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this - the further hardening of the heart after the death of someone by those who knew them in some particular way. It just doesn’t always happen that death brings compassion. In fact, the opposite can be true, like fire catching dry grass. Sometimes someone’s death has a way of invigorating evil.
Scholars are quick to point out they think Matthew is responding to later rumors that the disciples fabricated the resurrection. There’s no reason to think this isn’t true - that the religious leaders, remembering Jesus’ words about being raised from the dead, tried to prevent a lie. But Jesus also anticipated their hardness of heart.
This is why it’s so important for followers of Jesus to discern the truth based on the particulars of a situation. Rumors and talk are so easy. But what is the actual result from someone’s life? What is the fruit that points to God’s justice and righteousness? Jesus was pretty clear about it. The epistles, too.
We might think that making such judgment and wise discernment would be easier for us today with technologies that have supposedly advanced our ability to access information. Pilate, the religious leaders, and the disciples all had no such thing as video or the Internet. We do. And yet, untruth abounds all the more. It turns out that even easier than transmitting the truth along electronic cables and across wireless waves is the idea of transmitting untruth.
Joseph quietly did what was right. The leaders loudly spun a narrative. Both stories still repeat themselves today
So we must focus on the fruit of righteousness and the specific parameters laid out by both Jesus (here, here, here, etc.) and the epistles (here, here, here, etc.).
Untruth travels fast, but righteousness endures. And the fruit of Jesus’ life and resurrection is still the measure of truth today.
Matthew 27:62-66
The next day, which was the day after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will arise.’ Therefore, order the grave to be sealed until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people, ‘He’s been raised from the dead.’ This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Pilate replied, “You have soldiers for guard duty. Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.
Psalm 15
Who can live in your tent, Lord? Who can dwell on your holy mountain? The person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely; who does no damage with their talk, does no harm to a friend, doesn’t insult a neighbor;
Prayer
God,
You know how easily we are distracted by noise, rumors, and posturing. But you call us instead to steady faithfulness. Teach us to walk in power of your truth, even when unnoticed, to keep to the small and righteous ways of Jesus, even when they go unseen.
Keep us rooted in your justice and mercy, not swayed by the clamor of untruth. It can be really hard sometimes when powerful people and individuals wrap it in the name of Jesus and with the sparkle of charisma. So help us to live our lives together that bear fruit pointing to Christ, not for recognition, but for your glory.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.