15: That the soldiers would take the money is not at all surprising. They really had no choice, unless they chose to tell the truth. That the Jews would easily believe the story is also not terribly surprising. They were looking for signs from the Messiah that they should have never expected, and largely ignored the signs that he did provide.
16: At some point, possibly in the conversation he had just had with the women, Jesus specified a certain mountain in Galilee that he would come to. We do not know exactly what mountain is meant, and Jesus did appear to them in other places.
17: We know that Thomas had his doubts, and apparently some of Jesus’ other disciples did as well, even after seeing Christ. However, it seems that the doubts melted away once they heard his words and saw, by his mannerisms, that it was truly the Lord.

Personal Journal Entry #12064
Prayer Journal Entry #12064
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 11:1-13:18
Praise Journal Entry #12025: Heavenly Father, Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, You are worthy of glory! You make life worth living. I look forward to learning more about You each day. The words and life of Christ are a great comfort and inspiration to me. I want to make Your glory known in every place. None should live in such darkness that they would not know of the light of Christ! Though many will reject the message of Your gospel, so many will accept it. It must be preached to all the world. I love You, Father. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

12: The Jewish counsel met once again to decide on a deceptive, though not very convincing, cover-up. They had to give the soldiers involved some money, and may have had to pay off the soldier’s superiors, and maybe even Pilate. This money may very well have come from the temple treasury, rather than their own pockets, which would have been yet another infringement of the law by these Jewish religious leaders.
13: Normally such a story would be the last thing these soldiers would want to report. Sleeping on the job could get them executed. This only serves to prove that this was a lie. How could it be believed that the disciples could break the seal, move the stone, and remove the body, all while the soldiers that were supposed to be guarding the tomb were fast asleep? They would have to be the laziest soldiers ever!
14: Although it is not clear whether any of this did come to the immediate attention of Pilate, the Jews were prepared to do whatever was necessary to cover the matter. They may have paid another bribe, made up more stories, or just asked the governor not to punish the soldiers.

Personal Journal Entry #12063
Prayer Journal Entry #12063
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10:22
Praise Journal Entry #12024: Heavenly Father, thank You for rescuing us from a purely material life. Though we often fail and still get concerned over material things, it is good to know that there truly is more to life than money and possessions. Thank You for giving our lives value far beyond the things of this world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

11: While the ladies were making their way to find Jesus’ disciples, the guards from the tomb had recovered from their terror. Evidently the angel had departed. These soldiers went into the city and reported to their superiors. In this case, their superiors were the chief priests, since this particular band of soldiers was under the priests during the feast. They reported exactly what happened.

Personal Journal Entry #12062
Prayer Journal entry #12062
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 5:1-7:26
Praise Journal Entry #12023: Heavenly Father, thank You for not immediately destroying those who fail to immediately listen to Your Word. Thank You for giving people a lifetime of chances to respond. Your mercy and grace are wonderful! I thank You, praise You, and pray, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

7: They would see Jesus even before they came to Galilee, but Jesus had given the angel this message. He wanted his followers to understand his next steps. He wanted them, being only human, to realize that he was not some kind of ghost now. He had risen, and he was free to go wherever he might.
8: Though the women were still quite afraid at the sight of the angel, they were very happy about what they had been told. We must remember, regarding their fear, that they had not seen an angel before.
9: Jesus’ salutation was not uncommon, nor was it out of keeping with his normal way of speaking. Indeed, it seems ordinary for One Who has just risen from the dead. But, this is all the more significant. Jesus acts normal because he is normal. He is not somehow changed into a deformed thing because of the death and resurrection that he had accomplished. Though his body bears scars, it is more glorious than it had ever been.
The women responded the only way they should have. They immediately assumed a posture of absolute worship. One who had risen from the dead on his own was amazing enough. But, being that this was Jesus, they knew that all he had said about being One with the Father was altogether true. They here worship him as God.
10: Jesus repeats the words of the angel. This time Jesus may have been telling them not to be afraid to proceed without him immediately going with them. He also gives more of a command that the disciples should go into Galilee, where he would meet them.

Personal Journal Entry #12061
Prayer Journal Entry #12061
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 3:1-4:49
Praise Journal Entry #12022: Heavenly Father, the Lord God Almighty, Creator of all, thank You for Jesus. He is so special to us. Knowing that he has lived here among us is a blessing. He knows our infirmities, yet has the power to heal our sicknesses. He knows our temptations, and yet has the power to forgive our sins. What mercy You have given us! How great it is to have Christ! Father, Your glory is so perfected by Your Son. I will praise You for Your wisdom in his death and resurrection. Without it, what would I have to hope for? Without it what future could I look to? I praise You Father, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in his name I pray, Amen.

6: The angel reported the exact facts. This was his job. Many might expect a messenger of God to simply say something and expect everyone to believe. In this case, the angel was very interested in substantiating his statement in their minds. He invites them to consider the evidence.
Notice also the angel’s words about the resurrection. Jesus rose just as he said he would. Some have surmised that Jesus did not know for sure that he would rise. This is simply not the case. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing, and was in control of the entire process.

Personal Journal Entry #12060
Prayer Journal Entry #12060
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 1:1-2:37
Praise Journal Entry #12021: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your confidence, and the confidence that You impart to us. Just as Jesus knew that he would rise again, we can know that we have life through him. Without this certainty, life would be so scary. Thank You for the assurance of Truth that we find in You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

5: The angel’s appearance would scare anyone. However, he was there for the benefit of those whom he now spoke to. He knew who they were coming to find. Jesus would from this point on be identified as the one who was crucified. Rather than avoiding that appellation, the angel uses it as if it is the most common way of referring to Christ.

Personal Journal Entry #12059
Prayer Journal Entry #12059
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 34:1-36:13
Praise Journal Entry #12020: Heavenly Father, that You for Your messengers, whether they be angels or men. The messengers of the gospel are always welcome to the heart that is in need. Your Truth is a balm to the hurting, a strength to the weak, and a foundation for the strong. Father, You are our Anchor for life. Thank You for Your Son, the Lord Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

3: The angel looked like a blot of lightning. This simply means that one looking at him would see lightning to the same degree that they would see his bodily form. Also, his clothing was the whitest white that one might care to imagine. We often miss the significance of clothing. Angels need not cover their glory with clothes, nor are they cold and in need of physical warmth. Instead, the whiteness of their attire is a greater glory than its absence would be. Just like man, the angels must get what they have from Almighty God. Therefore they would not have these garments if God had not specifically designed that they should have them.They do not cover glory, but enhance it.
4: It was not the earthquake that scared the Roman guard. It was the appearance of the angel which did this. Whether they then fainted, or were paralyzed, is not clear. However, even if they had had complete control of their faculties at this time, they would have, nor could have, done nothing to prevent this angelic being.

Personal Journal Entry #12058
Prayer Journal Entry #12058
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 32:1-33:56
Praise Journal Entry #12019: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for family! Our families are such a blessing to us. And I know that You love those who have no family. Whoever knows You is never alone, no matter what the situation. Father, thank You for the simple blessings that You supply. You are so kind! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

2: Before the women had arrived these things had already taken place. The earthquake may not have extended very far, but it was apparently quite intense at that place. The angel which here descended was not sent to bring Jesus to life, or to rescue him from the sealed tomb. He had already risen. The angel was to report the facts of the case to humanity, and to grant easy access to the evidence inside the tomb.

Personal Journal Entry #12057
Prayer Journal Entry #12057
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 30:1-31:54
Praise Journal Entry #12018: Heavenly Father, Your openness with the gospel is such a glory to You! You have not kept it from the meanest of us. You have made it available to all. You have shown it to the poor, the ignorant, and the troubled. You have had no bias in its spread to all the world. All praise be to You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

1: The Sabbath would have ended around sunset on Saturday evening. The dawning of the new day was Saturday evening and Sunday morning. It was at this time that these two made their way to the tomb, which they had just been to Friday evening.

Personal Journal Entry #12056
Prayer Journal Entry #12056
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 27:1-29:40
Praise Journal Entry #12017: Heavenly Father, Your grace is amazing. Your love is unbelievable. Your comfort is so sweet. Thank You for taking the time to know our needs and to give us Your Truth. It is amazing to think that the half of Your glory has not yet been told. You are truly wonderful! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

65: The Jews already had several companies of Roman troops at their disposal for the guarding of the temple. Pilate would not spare extra troops for this project, but gave them permission to use the ones they had.
66: So, Pilate expended no effort on this project himself, but the Jewish leaders did as much as they could. Even though it was a Sabbath, they set the watch and sealed the tomb.
The seal was likely some public seal, whether of the Jews or of Pilate. It would be placed in such a way as to prevent the stone from being moved without breaking it.

Personal Journal Entry #12055
Prayer Journal Entry #12055
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 25:1-26:65
Praise Journal Entry #12016: Heavenly Father, You are such a blessing to those dealing with death. For those who have no hope, death seems a finality. For those who trust in You, it is just another step along the way. Heaven must be such a beautiful place. It is great because You are there! You make it all worth while. What little trials we may face here cannot compare to the joy of seeing Your face. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.