All of Our Problems
Matthew 27:62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (NKJV)

 

There was no doubt that Jesus had died. He had been speared in the side and a mixture of blood and water came out. This signifies that the heart had been ruptured. The soldiers would normally break the legs of those crucified just to hasten death, but they were so sure that Jesus was dead that they did not bother with Him (Jn. 19:31-37). 

The Pharisees are also sure that Jesus is dead, because now they are concerned that the disciples will steal His body and say that he was resurrected. So they ask Pilate to secure the tomb (vv. 62-64). 

Pilate approves their plan and the tomb is secured with a seal and a guard (vv. 65-66). But God would have nothing of this and sends an earthquake and His angel to thwart their plans (v. 2). Just the appearance of the angel makes the guards “like dead men” (vv. 3-4). 

Death, the Pharisees, Pilate, and the guards were no match for God! God overcame them all. “He is risen” (v. 6)! And we will be also! This is the promise of Easter! 

All of our problems are caused by two things, sin and death. Our sin causes greed, envy, conflict, and other reasons for our problems. Death causes so much sorrow. 

In the space of three short days Jesus did away with all problems, for those who believe in Him.  He defeated sin and death. 

Sin was defeated on the cross when Jesus took all of our sins, those of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, upon Himself. He died to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we may have eternal life. We are forgiven of our sins when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

Death was defeated at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There should be no sorrow in death. To all who believe in Him, death is a gain. It is not sorrow for the end, but celebration for a new beginning in Heaven. 

In Heaven, which was called paradise in Biblical times, there is no sin or death. There are no problems. Christians will still have some here, but not in Heaven. The best is yet to come! 

Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary