Jesus was crucified on Friday. Because the Jewish Sabbath began at sundown, Jesus was hastily laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Pilate, in order to be sure that the body wasn't stolen, place guards at the tomb of a dead man and sealed it with a large stone.
Matthew 27:62-66 (NKJV)Pilate Sets a Guard
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
Can you imagine the absolute despair felt by the followers of Jesus on this day? They felt alone, forsaken, afraid, heartbroken, and hopeless, and heaven seemed silent. How many times do we cry out to God to hear us? How often do we think that heaven is silent? Do not despair. He is listening. The resurrection is coming!
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