I think of the irony of words and thoughts as I read the next passage in Matthew’s account of the story of Jesus. His accusers, the high priests and Pharisees, have gotten their way. Jesus has been crucified on a cross. He is dead. (For now.) Instead of being satisfied with their success to get rid of the Person attempting to steal their thunder, they remember what Jesus said. Irony. They actually remember what Jesus said. They are afraid his words might come true…this rising from the dead stuff…afraid his disciples will steal the body and say he is not dead…so they ask Pilate, the Roman governor for one more favor. Irony.

Matthew 27, The Message
The Tomb
57-61 Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.

62-64 After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered what that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”

65-66 Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.

Do you see the it? What irony to think they could stop the power of God in raising up His Son from the grave! What irony to think that the God who created the rocks and mountains could be stopped by sealing the tomb in which our Jesus, God’s Son was laid! What irony to think these powerless people in the eyes of God could stop God’s plan to save a lost world! What irony to think Jesus’ disciples, who ran away from the scene of the crime, would come back a steal the body of the One they grieved so greatly! And Pilate…mere human guards? To think that sealing the tomb and posting guards will stop the resurrection of Jesus the Christ? What irony!

Jesus told them what would happen. Scripture, hundreds of years before, told them what would happen. And all was fulfilled. All of it. God’s plan to bring lost people, like sheep without a shepherd, back to himself, through the sacrifice of His Son, the Lamb of God, was fulfilled.

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

Dear Heavenly Father, We are amazed at the scene of irony that overwhelms this situation. While Jesus followers are grieving, the religious leaders still work to put You down for good. Wow, what irony to think they could stop You, Almighty God, the God of Creation and Life itself! We repent of all the ways we might try to hinder Your plan for our lives and the lives of others by our foolish talk and deeds. What irony there, too. Your plan will not be stopped. You are the Victor! Every time. Don’t allow us to get in the way, ever. We want to work with You not against You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!