Two Differing Reports

The Report That Changed Everything – Matthew 28:8-15

Dear Friends, the women had just left the empty tomb with hearts racing — a mixture of fear and overwhelming joy. They had a message to deliver: “He has risen!”

But while they hurried to tell the disciples, another group was also on the move.

Some of the Roman guards who had been watching the tomb went into the city and reported everything that had happened to the chief priests. The religious leaders quickly gathered and came up with a plan. They gave the soldiers a large sum of money and told them:

“You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” (v. 13-14)

So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And Matthew adds this sobering note: “This story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (v. 15)

Two very different reports went out that morning.One group ran with the truth: “He is risen!” The other group spread a lie: “They stole the body.”

One report brought life and hope. The other was bought with money and protected by fear.

Even today, the resurrection of Jesus still divides people. Some rejoice in the empty tomb and worship the risen Lord. Others still prefer alternative explanations — anything to avoid facing the reality that Jesus is alive.

But notice something important: the chief priests and elders never denied that the tomb was empty. They couldn’t. The facts were undeniable. Instead, they tried to explain it away with a story that required the guards to admit they had fallen asleep on duty — something that would normally have cost them their lives.

The resurrection is not something you can easily dismiss. You either accept it and let it change your life, or you have to invent a story to explain it away.

Today, pause and ask yourself: Which report do I believe?

Am I living in the joy and power of the risen Christ — or am I still clinging to explanations that allow me to keep Jesus safely in the tomb?

The women left the tomb with fear and great joy. The guards left with money and a lie. One group met the risen Lord. The other missed Him completely.

Point to Ponder: The empty tomb demands a response. You can either worship the risen Saviour… or invent reasons not to.

Verse to Remember: “So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:15 ESV)

Question to Consider: This week, in one honest moment with God, ask yourself: Am I living as though Jesus is really risen — with joy, boldness, and hope? Or am I still treating the resurrection like a nice story rather than the greatest reality in the universe?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church