March 19th, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

THE GREAT COVER-UP

Matthew 28:11-15 “ While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.”

There was much on-the-line for the soldiers on duty at the time of Jesus’ resurrection because they failed to do their job. They were supposed to make sure that Jesus’ body did not leave the tomb. Pilate could have ordered that they would be put to death because they had failed to obey his orders.

Likewise, the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders were faced with embarrassment and loss of confidence by the Jews in their leadership if it got out that Jesus’ body was no longer in the grave. Their answer was to make up a false story that Jesus’ disciples had stolen His body during the night. The Pharisees guaranteed the soldiers that they would not be put to death for falling asleep.

Martin Luther wrote that the devil will “seduce, deceive and lead people into misbelief. . .” (Explanation to the Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Small Catechism) This is exactly what the devil did to the Pharisees, who refused to believe Jesus had come back to life . . . Pilate who was concerned with his own “political neck” rather than determining what truly happened . . . Who protected himself to prevent the wrong message getting back to Rome. . .and, the soldiers lied to save their own lives. Sin begets sin. Each sin is like an auger that with every turn goes deeper into the ground. Lies led to more lies which in turn led to even more lies.

The disciples did not steal Jesus’ body from the grave. Peter presented the truth to Israel as recorded in Acts 2:22-24,36, “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. . .Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Prayer: Lord, cause me to recognize my sins, confess and repent of them and seek your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. In His holy name. Amen.

He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death’s prison, the incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
And earth, sea, and mountain their praises prolong.

The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

But short was their triumph; the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes.
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high;
He lives, yes, He lives, and will never-more die.

O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.

The sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;
With Father and Spirit He ever shall reign.

He's Risen, He's Risen // LSB 480