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Bible Readings: Matthew 27:55-66; Psalm 2:1-12

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.   Matthew 27:65-66

Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.

Psalm 2:1-4

In the death of Jesus, we see God's plan for redemption. Though it may have seemed like evil wins, it was, in fact, the moment of its defeat. The cross, intended as an instrument of humiliation and death, became the very means through which God achieved victory over sin and death.

Let us remember that no matter how bleak our circumstances may appear, God is still sovereign. His plans are not undone by the schemes of humanity or the darkness of this world. Like the psalmist, let us take refuge in the Lord and serve Him with fear and celebrate with trembling (Psalm 2:11). For in Him alone do we find true security and everlasting hope.

Christ lay in death’s bonds

given over for our sins,

He has risen again

and brought us life . . .

It was a strange battle,

that death and life waged,

life claimed the victory,

it devoured death.

The scripture had prophesied this,

how one death gobbled up the other,

a mockery has been made out of death.

Hallelujah!

(Martin Luther)