Matthew 27:62-65: “The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.” “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.”
Jesus’ body was in the tomb. The disciples and followers huddled in fear tucked away from the Jewish leaders. The chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate with a concern. These custodians of the faith listened closely to the words of Jesus. They knew that a brutal crucifixion would not end this man’s work. He prophesied that He would rise again.
The skeptics wanted His legacy to be His death and his demise. Pilate sealed the tomb and placed guards to insure that the Nazarene’s movement would die with Him. The believers evidenced no confidence that they would talk to Jesus again. They were confused and broken hearted, without direction waiting.
Saturday has a theme of waiting. The body of Jesus waits for the resurrection. The believers wait for hope, direction, and peace. The leaders wait for the next shoe to drop. God the Father waits for the first day of the week. The world waits for the Savior to be enthroned. Today, we wait. Sunday’s coming.