Matthew 28:12 “And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,”
Those who lust after power, will go to great lengths to obtain and sustain their position and power. They will deceive, lie, cheat, bribe, and some will even stoop to murder; all to obtain or maintain their powerful positions. These Jewish leaders are the same who paid Judas to betray the Lord, here they paid “the soldiers” to lie. By this time, they knew that they were wrong, and that Jesus Christ had risen; but, to admit it would mean that they were wrong and that their high positions of power were no longer needed or wanted. Furthermore, it was clear that Jesus Christ was not going to include them and their lust for power in His Church-Kingdom. So, like a dying snake, they were striking out, doing everything in their power to sustain their positions. The Roman “soldiers” were paid a stipend, but not enough to make their life comfortable. A very large sum of money can overwhelm men’s sense of decency, and these Jewish authorities well knew it. So, these “soldiers” neglected their honor and took the bribe; they lied, saying that the Lord’s “disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:13). The Jewish “elders” were enriched by the offerings that the people gave into the Temple; it appears that they had no respect for the people, the Lord, the Temple, the Mosaic Law, or even common integrity. They were losing their grip on power, and they would do whatever it took to keep it. People are the same today, even some religionists; they lust for power, they lust for position, they lust for recognition, and they will do anything to obtain and keep it! Contrast this with Paul’s words, he carried out his duties “in simplicity and godly sincerity” (II Corinthians 1:12)! Then he issues this warning to both the Church at Corinth and us: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:3)! May the Lord grant us strength (Philippians 4:13) to subdue our human lusts (James 1:13-16) and to daily strive for this blessed “simplicity and godly sincerity” in our lives and certainly in our Lord’s Church!