Matthew 27:62-66

A little newspaper boy was standing at a corner in a Railway Station in London on a chilly cold winter night. A well dressed gentle man, steps down from a train seeing the boy shivering with cold, lacking sufficient clothes, asked him with compassion: “ is it very cold? ” Looking to his eyes, the boy replied, in a gentle and confident voice: “ Yes Sir, it is very cold indeed, but the sun will rise soon!” It was the opposition of the Jerusalem leadership that finally led the Roman soldiers to crucify Jesus - an unholy alliance and conspiracy between the religious leaders and political rulers. A fresh initiative on the part of the Chief Priests and Pharisees now approach Pilate to safe guard Jesus’ tomb. They gathered before Pilate to plot together. But that became a blessing in disguise.

1. They underestimate Jesus. The Chief Priests and the Pharisees recall to Pilate a prediction made by Jesus himself about his resurrection. “We remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again’. But in their arrogance and spiritual blindness they did not believe it. As Paul says in Romans, “they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise they became fools.” (Rom.1: 21,22) The Holy One of God, the long awaited Messiah is a ‘deceiver’ in their view.

2. They overestimate the disciples. The leaders wanted to nip in the bud any move on the part of the associates of Jesus to claim that he had been vindicated by resurrection. By securing the tomb, they thought, they could deny the people, particularly the disciples, access to the tomb. They expressed their apprehension before Pilate that Jesus’ disciples may steal his body and may fabricate a story. This presupposition by the leaders is a clear misunderstanding of the then circumstances and an over estimation of the feeble and fragile disciples who were scattered and scary after the gruesome incident of crucifixion of their master. Pilate grants their request. After receiving the go ahead from Pilate the Jewish authorities took all necessary steps: the stone was sealed and the guard was set. This has become a great blessing to all believers over the centuries to strengthen their confidence that Jesus rose from the dead. The guard guarantees that the body of Jesus has no other fate.

Yes, the sun will rise soon!

Prayer: Oh Lord, open our hearts to believe that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scripture and open our eyes to glimpse the glory of resurrection.

Rev. Joseph Johnny

Isaiah 53:1-12

This chapter tells us about the Story of the Suffering Servant of God. It presents the selfless love and vicarious sacrifice of the Servant. In the book of Isaiah we see four passages 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50; 4-9 and 52:13 – 53:12 commonly called as the Servant Songs. These are about the Anointed one of Yahweh. There are different interpretations regarding the identity of the servant. The fourth Servant Song (52:13-53:12) clearly reveals that the Suffering Servant of God is Jesus Christ.

1. Humble, submissive Servant (Verses 1-3) The servant under the care and plan of the Father God, but despised and rejected by the human community for whom he humbled himself.

2. Smitten not for his sins (Verses 4-6) He was smitten not for his sins but bearing the responsibility of all of us who had gone astray from God's plan. Along with this we read from Isaiah 50:4-11" I offered my back....spitting"(see also Matthew 27:27-30). Around us we see both victims and victimizers in every realm of life. In a world where the norm “Survival of the fittest “creates lot of competition, we may fall to either of these categories.

3. Silent on bearing all transgressions on Him. (Verses 7-9)Though justice was taken away, he bears it. He was considered along with the wicked. While being persecuted Jesus was silent like a lamb to be slain. His act of silence was for the righteousness of many then and in the coming generations. All our suffering for the sake of God will produce many more witnesses in our generation and later.

4. Vindication after suffering. (Verses 10-12) This is the most promising and beautiful part of any suffering by the innocent especially while standing with God's plan. After long suffering and being crushed, light shines upon us. Any suffering of the innocent and for the sake of God's will, surely will be vindicated. All wicked powers will be dethroned. V11 " After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life". Jesus is vindicated to justify many. Passion, Crucifixion and death of Jesus did not mark the end. He resurrected on the third day from the dead according to his Father's will. We live in the hope of the joy of resurrection of Jesus and not mourning his death. Prayer: Almighty God help us to live under your plan and guidance in the midst of crushing experiences, which challenge us to go away from you. Give us spiritual strength to understand that all sufferings with you and for your sake will result in sharing your glory. Amen.

Rev. Regi Zacharia