“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.” And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.’ And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.” (Matthew 28:11–15, NASB)
I took a break in the City of David from my long walks through Jerusalem. I came to a stone wall on which soldiers were resting their weary bodies. Some were sitting on top of the wall. I drew near to them and looked at the land below. Empty stone habitations were in view below. One of the soldiers took a curious look at me and asked, “Are you looking for the place where Jesus is buried?”
I took a silent look into his eyes as he searched for the answer to his heart in mine. The Spirit of God stirred my heart with His power and out came the words, “Those are dead stones! You are live stones! I am after you!”
I had no idea that many young soldiers and Jewish civilians in Israel would follow my steps through the land to hear of their risen Messiah!
My thoughts went to the story of Matthew 28. This gave me the joyful boldness to tell the truth of the risen Messiah to the Israeli Jews!
“Abba, Father, Your living Christ is alive in Your disciples! The power of His resurrection lives in them! Help them, Spirit of God, to speak with joyful boldness of Yeshua to the Jews. He’s alive!”