I. WATCH OF THE CARING WOMEN
A. PRESENCE
Mt 27:61 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary [Mk 15:47 mother of James the less and Joseph] were watching, sitting directly across from the tomb.
1. FAITHFUL
2. FOLLOWING
B. PREPARATION
Lk 23:56 Then they returned [home] and prepared aromatics and myrrh. On the Sabbath they remained quiet according to the Law.
1. FORMULATE
2. FINISH
II. WORRY OF THE CAUTIOUS LEADERS
A. PRUDENCE
Mt 27:62 The next day (after the day of Preparation), the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
1. FRIDAY
2. FOCUS (also Mt 21:45)
B. PERCEPTION
Mt 27:63 and said, “Sir, we recall how that deceiver, while He was still alive said, ‘After three days I will arise.’
1. FAVOR
2. FALSEHOOD (also Mt 12:38-40)
C. PREVENTION
Mt 27:64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples go and steal the corpse and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ Then this final deception would be worse than the first.”
1. FUNDAMENTAL
2. FIGURING
3. FINAL
III. WORD OF THE CALLOUSED GOVERNOR
A. PROCUREMENT
Mt 27:65a Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers.”
1. FURNISH
2. FAILURE
B. PRECAUTION
Mt 27:65b Go, make it as secure as you know how.”
1. FAST
2. FIX
IV. WORK OF THE CAREFUL GUARDS
A. POSTED
Mt 27:66a So they left and made the tomb secure by setting a guard
1. FACT
2. FORCE
B. PROTECTION
Mt 27:66b and sealing the stone.
1. FIRM
2. FASTEN
Conclusion: None of these obstacles to the resurrection of Jesus mattered. They all fall away before Him!
It would have to take a supernatural miracle to raise Jesus body from the tomb. And it did.