Have you ever been asked or told to keep a secret? I think it's safe to say that we've all been in a situation like this at one point or another. What if it was something that you knew to be true, but you were told not to say anything to anyone else about it? This happens to kids in school all the time. Perhaps they witness a bully picking on another kid. Or notice a theft or some other wrong behavior, yet they keep quiet. Typically, the secret is kept out of personal fear for retribution...fear surrounding what could happen if the secret gets out. Consider the situation with the guards who guarded the tomb of Christ in Matthew 28:11-15. To add more context to this, let's first jump back to the event leading up to this in Matthew 28:1-10.
The Resurrection
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report
11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15So 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.Can you imagine what must have been going through the minds of the guards? They personally witnessed at least one angel appear before them (for there were two, but it is unclear if the second spoke or was even seen by anyone other than Mary Magdalene at that particular time). Later, they ran back to chief priests and elders to report what they had seen. Then they were either bribed or likely even threatened not to tell anyone. Basically they were told to lie. So the guards accepted the bribe and went away. What happened to those particular guards after the resurrection is unknown. Perhaps they turned into believers and became followers of Christ. Or perhaps they just tried to forget that it had ever happened. Either way, they witnessed and heard the voice of God's angel.
In the end, this is a story about opportunity. It's obvious that the Roman guards were not expecting to have an angel appear before them. But, they had an opportunity as direct witnesses to change the beliefs of their family and friends. What would we do if we were placed in that same situation? Would we have kept quiet or spoke out? If they had kept silent as they were ordered, I wonder if they were able to sleep at night?
The point is that we never know when we'll have an opportunity to speak on Christ's behalf. Normally, opportunities are not foreseen in advance and one might suddenly present itself at a very unique or uncomfortable time. This is why we need to be ready to speak on behalf of Jesus at a moments notice. We never know when an opportunity will present itself. So speak up! Because else someone might just need to hear what you have to say. Follow Peter's advice as a guideline as the Holy Spirit speaks through him in the following verses.
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit
1 Peter 3:15-18
Appearances of Christ after the resurrection:
1. Mary --- John 20:10–18
2. Mary and women --- Matthew 28:1–10
3. Peter --- 1 Corinthians 15:5
4. Two disciples --- Luke 24:13–35
5. Ten apostles --- Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23
6. Eleven apostles --- John 20:24–31
7. Seven apostles --- John 21
8. All apostles --- Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18
9. 500 brethren --- 1 Corinthians 15:6
10. James --- 1 Corinthians 15:7
11. All apostles --- Acts 1:4–8
12. Paul --- Acts 9:1–9; 1 Corinthians 15:8
You yourself must first believe, before you can convince others. So if you decide to speak on Christ's behalf - do so with passion. Don't sell yourself short by missing out on what was an unforeseen opportunity.
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