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Hiding the truth usually
brings unpleasant consequences. And even as we should never hide the truth, we
should not hide our faith under a bushel basket. The Bible states that clearly.
God’s Word is much too valuable to keep hidden.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
When youngsters disobey their
parents, they may be tempted to hide the truth by bribing a sibling. Perhaps
you also have paid off someone to keep a truth hidden. Usually our motive is to
hide an indiscretion or an illegal or immoral deed. Such bribery has taken
place since the beginning of time, including during Bible times.
After Jesus died and was
buried, the chief priests and Pharisees told Pontius Pilate to secure the grave
to prevent Jesus’ disciples from stealing His body and telling the people He
had risen from the dead. They had heard Jesus say after three days He would
rise.
In spite of precautions, the
immovable barrier was found to be rolled away and the tomb empty. Certain women
met an angel there, who gave them the good news of Jesus’ resurrection from the
dead. The women, of course, ran to share the joyous news with Jesus’ disciples.
The story continues about Jesus appearing to them, too, and a host of others
before His ascension to heaven.
The news of Jesus’
resurrection became a secret from the public. At least, it was meant to be a
secret, if the Pharisees had succeeded. “Behold, some of the guard … reported
to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled
with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the
soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them, “His disciples came at night and stole him away
while we slept.” And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him
…’ So they took the money and did as they were instructed …” (Matthew 28:11-15)
The chief priests told a good
story, but it was untruthful and weak in explanation. If a guard slept at his
post or a prisoner escaped, the guard would be put to death. Perhaps one
soldier could have slept, but it would have been improbable for all to sleep
simultaneously. Besides, sleeping people do not make good witnesses.
The hush-money did no good.
People throughout history and the world have since accepted the truth of Jesus’
resurrection. The news spread like wildfire through the testimony of the
disciples and countless others.
Jesus’ miraculous
resurrection from the grave is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, not only
for its newsworthiness and historical accuracy, but especially for the hope it
offers us about our own eternal life. The Holy Spirit continues to make the
truth known everywhere.
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