Nougat 5

Today’s Holy Nougat is more of a cordon bleu multi course meal than a bite; but is necessary for us to appreciate and savor.

“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.” ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭62‬-‭66‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

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“After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Believing Fools

Twice the psalmist declared the fool to be one who maintains God’s nonexistence despite proof to the contrary. Our Nougat invites us to think about what we know and what we believe because it is nuanced, but boils down to us.

So here’s the question Who was it that remembered Jesus’ Words? It was the religious right of the day, not the disciples!

The chief priests kinda sorta maybe thought that somehow the tomb would be empty because Jesus said so. Got it. They hated His guts but they were just about confident that somehow Jesus would raise from the bowels of Death. So much so they got guard detail for Jesus’ body!

The disciples were silent, and – based on their surprise on Resurrection morn – had obviously forgotten Jesus’ assurance of His return after three days! Yet they believed in Jesus! Grief and fear obliterated their memory and clouded their belief! Remember Gabriel’s word to Zechariah – John the Baptist’s dad? ‘Blessed are those who, having not seen will believe.’

Question – Were the religious right blessed, despite their foolish ways?

Two very disparate sides to a 3-sided coin. It’s as though each grasped an aspect of The Truth, yet failed to comprehend the Big Picture that is God.

One failed to acknowledge the Lordship and divinity of Jesus;

The Other failed to remember what Jesus said He’d do

Both correct, but each needing the other piece to get to God’s Truth.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating they say – siblings; did you realize that

When proven correct, the religious right still preferred a cover up, rather than admit to Jesus’ sovereignty and divinity! They were even willing to create fake news to that end.

Utter Fools I say! Believing Folks

In the meantime, Jesus’ intimates were still enshrouded in grief! Despite their grief, despite their seeming unbelief that He’d raise on the 3rd day, they were at the tomb, bright and early on the First Day after the Sabbath to do due diligence to Jesus’ body! They too were Believing Fools but they came to, after some persuasion.

So there you have it folks – a reminder to us, or maybe a challenge. For in our own daily walk we have to decide whether we believe the whole Truth about Jesus; recognizing that He actually IS The Way, The Truth, and The Life – Eternal Life!

And when Life send to suggest that it’s all a dream and Jesus is dead, what shall we believe?

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May all we seek be found in Christ