Truth vs. Deception: The Power of the Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: The Dangers of Concealing the Truth

The religious leaders in Matthew 28:11-15 chose to conceal the truth of Jesus’ resurrection by bribing the guards and spreading a false report, showing how far people will go to protect their own interests and reputations. This act of deception not only complicated their own lives but also deepened their spiritual blindness, illustrating the destructive cycle that begins when we cover up one wrong with another. The passage reminds us that truth brings freedom and unity, while lies only create distance and distrust, both in our families and in the church. We are called to speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult, because it is the truth that binds us together as one body in Christ. [07:40]

Matthew 28:11-15 (ESV)
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to hide the truth to protect yourself? What would it look like to courageously speak the truth in love today, even if it is difficult?

Day 2: The Emptiness of False Gospels

Throughout history and even today, many alternative “gospels” and worldviews compete for our attention, promising fulfillment, success, or pleasure, but ultimately they are empty and cannot stand up to the truth of the resurrected Jesus. These false stories may be attractive or convenient, but they lack the power to save, reconcile, or give lasting hope. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, and reigning—offers real answers for life, faith, and eternity. We are called not to settle for superficial or pragmatic solutions, but to cling to the unmistakable truth of Christ’s resurrection and the life it brings. [16:58]

Galatians 1:6-9 (ESV)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Reflection: What “false gospels” or empty promises are you most tempted to believe or follow? How can you intentionally refocus your heart on the truth of the risen Christ today?

Day 3: The Power and Necessity of God’s Grace

The response of the chief priests and elders to the resurrection was not faith, but further unbelief and disobedience, reminding us that evidence alone is not enough—only God’s grace can open hearts to believe. It is not by our own wisdom, strength, or goodness that we come to faith, but by the mercy of God working in us. This truth should humble us and move us to pray for others, knowing that salvation is always a work of grace from start to finish. Let us give God all the glory for our faith and continually seek His grace for ourselves and for those who do not yet believe. [20:56]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: Who in your life needs God’s grace to open their heart to the gospel? Will you commit to pray specifically for them today, trusting that only God can bring true faith?

Day 4: The Unshakable Evidence of the Resurrection

The story that the disciples stole Jesus’ body falls apart under scrutiny, as the sermon points out the many logical and practical problems with such a claim. The empty tomb, the courage of the disciples after Jesus’ death, and the lack of prosecution all point to the reality that Jesus truly rose from the dead. The resurrection is not a myth or a tale for the gullible, but a well-attested event that stands up to honest examination. Because Christ is risen, we have a sure foundation for our faith, hope for the future, and a reason to live boldly for Him. [26:24]

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV)
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Reflection: When doubts or questions about your faith arise, how can you remind yourself of the solid evidence for Jesus’ resurrection and let that truth anchor your hope?

Day 5: The Call to Spread the True Gospel

Jesus’ resurrection is not just a truth to be believed, but a message to be proclaimed. He commissions His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, promising His presence and authority as we share the good news. Unlike the false reports spread by the guards, the gospel of the risen Christ is to be shared openly, confidently, and with love, because it alone brings life and reconciliation with God. As recipients of this gospel, we are called to be its witnesses in our homes, communities, and to the ends of the earth, settling for nothing less than the truth of the risen, reigning, redeeming Jesus. [28:33]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can share the hope of the risen Jesus with this week? What step can you take today to begin that conversation or show Christ’s love to them?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 28:11-15, a striking contrast emerges between the truth of Christ’s resurrection and the false report spread by the religious leaders. The guards, having witnessed the miraculous events at the tomb, report everything to the chief priests. Instead of responding with repentance or faith, the leaders bribe the soldiers to circulate a lie: that Jesus’ disciples stole His body while the guards slept. This deception is not merely a denial of the truth, but an active attempt to conceal it, motivated by self-preservation and fear of losing status among the people.

The passage exposes the lengths to which people will go to protect their own interests, even at the cost of integrity and truth. The leaders’ actions are not just a momentary lapse, but a deepening of their own spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. Their willingness to use money—likely collected for religious purposes—to fund a cover-up reveals how sin compounds upon itself, making life more complicated and the truth harder to see. This is a warning for all: when we cover one wrong with another, we dig ourselves deeper into deception and distance from God and others.

Yet, the empty tomb stands as an unassailable witness to the resurrection. The alternative explanations crumble under scrutiny: the stone was too large, the guards too alert, the disciples too fearful to attempt such a theft, and the consequences for the guards too severe. The false report cannot account for the transformation of the disciples or the spread of the gospel. The only reasonable conclusion is that Christ is risen, just as He said.

This reality calls for humility and gratitude. Belief in the resurrection is not the result of superior intellect or moral strength, but the mercy and grace of God at work in the heart. The passage challenges us not to settle for the world’s empty stories or to be distracted by counterfeit gospels, but to cling to the truth of the risen, reigning, and redeeming Christ. In Him, we find hope, reconciliation, and the call to spread the true gospel to all nations, trusting in His promise to be with us always.

Key Takeaways

1. The impulse to conceal the truth often stems from a desire to protect our own reputation or position, but this only leads to greater spiritual blindness and complexity in our lives. When we choose deception over honesty, we distance ourselves from the freedom and unity that truth brings, both in our families and in the body of Christ. True community is built on speaking the truth in love, not on covering up our faults. [10:26]
2. The false report about the empty tomb was not just a lie, but a calculated attempt to maintain power and avoid being discredited. The leaders’ actions reveal how self-interest can drive people to justify any means, even those that are immoral or destructive. This pragmatism is the opposite of the gospel’s call to integrity and sacrificial love. [13:20]
3. The world is full of competing “gospels”—stories and philosophies that promise fulfillment, identity, or salvation apart from Christ. Whether it’s materialism, hedonism, or any other “ism,” these alternatives ultimately fail to address the deepest needs of the human heart. Only the gospel of the resurrected Jesus offers real hope, transformation, and reconciliation with God. [16:25]
4. The persistence of unbelief, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, shows that faith is not merely a matter of proof or intellect. The chief priests and elders had all the facts, yet responded with further unbelief and disobedience. This reminds us that saving faith is a gift of God’s grace, and should lead us to humility and prayer for others who have not yet believed. [19:24]
5. The resurrection of Jesus is not a peripheral detail, but the foundation of Christian hope and mission. The empty tomb cannot be explained away by alternative theories; it stands as the central fact that demands a response. Because Christ is risen, we are called to make disciples of all nations, living and proclaiming the truth with confidence, humility, and gratitude. [28:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Reading Matthew 28:11-15
[02:22] - The Nature of Spin and False Reports
[04:45] - The Purposes Behind the False Report
[06:41] - Concealing the Truth Through Bribery
[08:43] - The Leaders’ Fear of Discredit
[10:26] - The Complications of Covering Up Sin
[12:51] - Pragmatism and Self-Preservation
[13:58] - Contrasting True and False Gospels
[15:39] - Competing “Gospels” in the World
[18:44] - Responding to the Truth with Unbelief
[21:26] - The Problems with the False Story
[24:41] - The Power of Belief and Deception
[26:24] - The Unmistakable Truth of the Resurrection
[28:21] - The Great Commission and Our Calling
[29:41] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did the guards do after witnessing the events at the tomb, and to whom did they report? ([01:32])
What instructions did the chief priests and elders give to the soldiers, and what did they offer in return? ([01:49])
According to the passage, what was the story that was spread among the Jews, and how long did it continue? ([02:07])
What reasons did the religious leaders have for wanting to spread a false report about the empty tomb? ([08:10])

Interpretation Questions

What does the leaders’ decision to bribe the guards reveal about their priorities and spiritual condition? ([09:35])
How does the use of money collected for religious purposes to fund a cover-up deepen the leaders’ hypocrisy? ([10:10])
Why do you think the chief priests and elders responded to the truth of the resurrection with further unbelief and disobedience, even when they had all the facts? ([19:11])
The sermon mentions that the alternative explanations for the empty tomb “crumble under scrutiny.” What are some of the problems with the false story, and why is the resurrection the only reasonable conclusion? ([21:26])

Application Questions

The impulse to conceal the truth often comes from a desire to protect our own reputation or position. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to cover up a mistake or wrongdoing? What was the result, and how might things have been different if you had chosen honesty? ([10:26])
The leaders’ actions show how self-interest can drive people to justify almost anything. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to “do whatever it takes” to maintain your image or comfort, even if it means compromising your integrity? ([13:20])
The world offers many “gospels” that promise fulfillment apart from Christ. What are some of the false stories or philosophies you encounter most often, and how do they compete for your attention or allegiance? ([16:25])
The passage reminds us that faith is not just about having enough evidence, but about God’s grace at work in our hearts. How does this truth affect the way you pray for friends or family who don’t yet believe? ([19:24])
True community is built on speaking the truth in love. Are there relationships in your life—family, friends, or church—where honesty is lacking? What is one step you could take this week to build trust through truthfulness? ([11:13])
The resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope and mission. How does believing in the risen Christ give you confidence and purpose in your daily life? ([28:21])
Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. Who is one person in your life you could share the hope of the resurrection with, and what is a practical way you could do that this month? ([28:21])

Sermon Clips

It was a response to the truth, but it wasn't based on the truth. It wasn't carried out in order to promote the truth. It was meant to conceal the truth. But the only way that this truth could be concealed was by way of satisfaction of, of bribery. [00:06:34]

If these leaders didn't spread this lie, then what would become of them? What would become of them? They would be discredited among the Jewish people. Particularly, our passage says that this story was especially spread among the Jews because they're the ones that are connected uh to uh the uh the elders here and the chief priests. [00:08:01]

They're digging a bigger hole for themselves, which is going to just complicate their lives. Because after all, not only is there going there's bribery going on to to further conceal their phoniness, where'd they get the money? Where did they get the money in the first place? Wouldn't it have been money that came from the masses for religious purposes? [00:09:44]

See, when you try to cover up a lie with another lie, right? Or or when you you know, you find in in your life that you you know, you've done something bad and then you try to cover up with something else that's bad. It it just doesn't get any better, right? [00:10:21]

But if you cover up what you've done with another lie, all you've done is spread the gap, right, with your parents. Because the truth is what sets you free. But the truth is what bonds you right in the church of Jesus Christ. That's true. We speak the truth in love because we are members of one body. [00:11:00]

How did we get to be members of one body? How did we get united like we did? It's because we shared the truth. And what'll draw us closer is not to spread the lie. It's not to be distrusting. It is not to complicate life with another wrong thing. It is to do what's right. Speak the truth in love because you are members of one body. [00:11:21]

If they had to bribe to keep their position, so be it. If they had to lie to keep their position, so be it. If they had to throw the names of other people in under the bus to keep their position, so be it. As long as you not only get what you want, not as long as you keep what you want, that's what matters. [00:12:56]

But from where these people were standing, where these men were standing, it was it was most important to them that they do whatever it would take to promote their own cause. If they had to bribe to keep their position, so be it. If they had to lie to keep their position, so be it. [00:12:44]

What's essentially remarkable here in this small portion of Matthew 28, right here, smack in the middle of Matthew 28, you have exactly the opposite of what's happening on either other on on either side of it in Matthew 28, don't you? You have the desire of unscrupulous leaders sending forth disciples of sorts. [00:13:50]

The women were called to spread the truth about Jesus even as he said and even as the angels said to the disciples. The disciples under the encompassing all-encompassing authority of Jesus Christ are called to spread the truth about the gospel to all nations, teaching them to observe everything that he commanded them. [00:14:34]

Different gospels continue to go forth today, right? Atheism, you know, pantheism, right? Where you just think everything's a god. Feminism, materialism, Islam, Hinduism, Mormonism, environmentalism, every ism you can think of, I guess. Hedenism, Buddhism, everything's the same. [00:15:35]

Again, another one of those million-dollar words, right? egalitarianism, right? Everything is exactly the same. Well, that's why we get problems like we do in in the redefining of marriage because everything is the same. There's no male or female. You could be a mother even if you're a father. I mean, it's just that's the kind of way we are these days. [00:15:58]

Superficiality is is huge, right? what what you look like on the outside. We've talked about that in times past while we've been together, right? What I say I am on the outside and I'll dress like that or or because I'm of a certain color or I'm of certain gender. That's what all that's all that matters, right? [00:17:15]

And what is perhaps most noteworthy of all here and remarkable is that the plans that are plotted out by the chief priests and elders were in were in response to the truth because our passage says that the guard went into the city and they told the chief priest all that had taken place. [00:18:40]

It's been proven. It's not a question of proof anymore. Evidence alone doesn't mean anything unless God's grace is at work in a person's heart. And that's why we need to pray for people, right? Continued prayer for God's grace to be at work as his gospel spreads. [00:19:24]

But this false story of what happened at the empty tomb, they'll spread. They'll believe by many. They'll still believe by many today just can't hold water. And if that's the best that you can do with the empty tomb, then your best isn't good enough. And so the only reasonable conclusion to make is that Christ has been risen just as he said. [00:26:06]

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