Warriors Arise: April 28th, 2020
Could God have been using the Roman guards to testify, giving the chief priests one more chance to receive the truth about Jesus? They wouldn't hear it from their own temple guards or fellow Sadducees and Pharisees who had been sent to watch, listen and argue with Jesus when He openly taught the people. They wouldn't hear the testimony of the healed - blind man, who was of age to speak for himself. They wouldn't hear the testimony from the lepers who came to be declared cleansed and restored back to society. They wouldn't hear the testimony from Jesus' actions Himself when they brought him before all the counsel on the dreadful night before and morning of His crucifixion. When Jesus was crucified and breathed His last, the atmosphere became dark, foundations cracked and the veil enclosing the Holy of Holies was torn top to bottom. They still would not believe. What would it take for them to believe Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God, the Messiah sent to redeem all people from their sins and restore mankind to a relationship with the Almighty God?
God does not give up on the chief priests. He gives them yet another chance to believe. Jesus said in a couple of different times, "They have eyes but do not see and ears yet they do not hear." Jesus was diligent to teach His disciples to hear and see God at work in them and around them. Even though the priests were a part of fulfilling God's plan for the redemption when they crucified Jesus, God in His infinite mercy gives them one more chance.
Since they wouldn't hear from their own people, the Jews, God let Gentiles witness of His power and love. Matthew 28:11, "Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened." The Roman soldiers were standing before them telling them all that had happened. God was giving them one more chance to believe. Why would the Roman soldiers make something up? They had nothing to gain, but everything to lose. They could at the very least be dishonorably discharged, loosing status, authority and their job or they could loose their lives. The tomb, which they were to make sure remain sealed, did not remain sealed. The body which they were to make sure did not get stolen by the disciples, came out of the tomb and walked away. Could you even imagine!?
Why did the Roman soldiers go to the chief priests instead of Pilate? There can be several answers. I have already shared a couple, but I want to share one more. God is rich in mercy. He never gives up on us. Even if we have been His enemy, His lovingkindness is overwhelming. I also understand that there will come a day when He will have to sit in His judgment seat but not now, not for the chief priests. He was giving them one more chance. They would not hear the truth from Jews, Sadducees, Pharisees, temple guards, those healed from every sickness, those delivered from demonic control, those raised from the dead, those cleansed from leprosy. God used the Roman guards to be a witness, testifying to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Roman soldiers went to the chief priests and reported all the things that had happened. They were the only ones who witnessed such an amazing act of God and the chief priests were the first to hear what happened. God was giving them one more chance. He was demonstrating His amazing love for us, the hard-hearted, the stubborn, and prideful. God, sent Jesus so none would perish.
Father, during our battle against the coronavirus, I want to be a witness of Your amazing love and power. I have prayed for You to visit those who are infected with the virus, those who are researching for a cure and vaccine, those who continue to work, for those who are isolated at home in terrible circumstances. Each one needs Your mercy and lovingkindness. Each one needs You and the salvation Your Son offers. I petition You for those have heard Your voice and have seen Your good works to humble themselves before You and acknowledge You as God and Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I ask for the hard-hearted to have their hearts of stone touched by Your love. Their hearts to become soft, sensitive to Your leading and compassionate toward others. I ask for the stubborn to be put their efforts into resisting the enemy rather than You. I ask for their wills to be set upon truth of Your love, defending the truth of Who You are and Your ways. I ask for the prideful to humble themselves before You, knowing wisdom comes from You, knowledge comes from You, and ability comes from You. I pray for they would honor You in all of their ways and words. I pray they would honor others with the value You have placed upon them. Give them one more chance to repent and make Jesus their Lord and Savior in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army, Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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