1549. The Quailing of the Guard

The Quailing of the Guard

"And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men" (Mat_28:4).

The keepers doubtless were not anticipating the events of that first Easter morn. The day was about to break, and the guard were wearied, perhaps disgusted, with the thought of watching a lifeless and silent grave. The guard well knew that the disciples were a disheartened and a discouraged group, who had despairingly gone to their own homes. The guard well knew, or at least they thought they knew, that a dead man was dead, and could never trouble them. They were soldiers used to real battles, battles with the living, battles with flesh and blood, battles amid the striking of steel and the shout of commands; they felt quite undone, lounging about a tomb, to make it sure.

However and whatever the soldiers may have felt, they were destined to become greatly alarmed. The angel appeared majestically sweeping back the stone from the door of the tomb. Then he sat down upon it. But the keepers, for fear of him "did shake and became as dead men." Then, they scattered and fled, at their wits' ends. Some of them, finally, entered the city and showed themselves unto the chief priests, telling them all things that were done.

There was at least one group of men who believed in the resurrection of Christ, that was the soldiers. To be sure, they were paid large money to lie about it, and to put forth the report that the disciples had come by night and had stolen the body away while they slept. They did as they were taught; but in their hearts they knew they lied, and so knew all the world.

We wonder, when our Lord comes back the second time, and when the saved dead come forth, and with the living in Christ are caught up to meet the Lord–we wonder if then there will not be some strange scenes enacted again among men.

We imagine that those who are left will, for the while, quail and shake and become as dead men.

We imagine that many of them will cry to the Lord for fear. However, when the head is convinced, and the heart is wrong, a few days, at best will cure the fright. People will soon forget the lesson of the out-resurrection; they will go on revelling in unrighteousness.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR