40 Days of Prayer: Day 40

Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. Matthew 27:62-66

Dear Lord,

It is hard to believe that the people were against You even after You had died. Surely, they had an inkling of Your power because they wanted to do everything physically possible to prevent You from escaping the tomb. Lord, I thank You that we know what happens next, and that we can look forward to Resurrection Day. Thank You that even though the grave was made secure, and even though there was a guard, and a seal on the stone, it didn't stop You from breaking the bonds of death. Lord, as we await Your resurrection, let us not lose sight of Your suffering and death on our behalf. Keep me humble, Lord, as I celebrate You this weekend.

Amen.