DON’T BE SWAYED WITH MONEY!

DON’T BE SWAYED WITH MONEY!

So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. —Matthew 28:15

            The soldiers knew exactly what happened.

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” —Matthew 28:2-4

            This supernatural event caused the soldiers to “shake in their boots” (sandals).  The glorious appearance of this angel caused them to faint.  When they awoke the body of Jesus was gone.  They were in trouble… they would be executed.  So, they formed a plan.

“Some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, ‘You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” —Matthew 28:11-15

            The soldiers were bribed by the religious leaders for money to say something that was so far-fetched and unbelievable, but people believe lies.  Really, rag-tag disciples overpowered trained soldiers, opening the tomb and taking the body of Jesus?  Right?  But people will believe what they want to believe and others will take money to protect themselves and further another’s agenda.

            We see that much bribery in our day and age.  In government it is called “pork” for good reason— it fattens a spending bill and is slaughtering the taxpayers.  All to satisfy someone’s appetite’s menu. “Pork” politics is modern day bribery using taxpayers money. 

Money to equates life.  The life it took to make that money.  When the government wastes the money of taxpayers, they are wasting the lives of those who put them in office.  They are showing they really do not care for the people.  Bribery happened in Jesus’ day; it happens in our day.  Truly, money is the root of all kinds of evil (I Timothy 6:10).

Dear Father, may I never even be tempted in this area of bribery.  May I stand for the Truth of Your Word, doing Your will by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLX83HbefrI