''Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard (Matthew 27:65-66).''
Once again, Pilate tells the chief priests and Pharisees to do it themselves. He wanted them to take care of Jesus. When they wouldn't, he washed his hands of the whole affair before sentencing Jesus to death. This time, he had more authority in the situation. "You have a guard of soldiers. You do it yourself."
What do you think the guards were thinking when they were given this assignment? What must they have done wrong to have them guarding a dead man's tomb? They didn't do anything wrong. In fact, God used them to be the first non-believing witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. They were stricken with fear and became as dead men (Matthew 28:4). Afterward they were paid off so that no one would believe in the resurrection.
But Jesus' resurrection happened. Believe in it. The guards secured the tomb until the third day, but Jesus' resurrection secures your eternity. He has secured everlasting life for you so that you may live for Him in this life. Amen.
