The “collusion” story that filled our news feeds for the last two years is finally over — well, probably not. While repeatedly hearing the story and numerous speculations may have seemed like it would never end, there’s another collusion story that has lasted far longer. We can read it in Matthew’s gospel in two parts. 

First, after Jesus was crucified on a Friday, the preparation day for the Sabbath rest that began at Sundown.

Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 “Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. (Matthew 27:62-66, NASB) 

The tomb was sealed and the guard was posted. 

Early Sunday morning, while going to the tomb to give proper treatment to Jesus’ body for burial, the women, then two disciples, found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. The only thing that remained were the cloth wrappings that were used to wrap Jesus’ body when it was taken off the cross. 

Where were the guards when these people came to the tomb? Their lives were at risk for failing to guard the tomb. They’re the in second part.

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. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 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).

The explanation for what happened that day, from that collusion, is still heard today. Even though the preponderance of evidence is to the contrary. The heart of the Christian faith rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His claim to be the Son of God, to take the penalty for our sin, to rise again, to grant forgiveness and eternal life to all who turn to Him in faith — it all rests on the resurrection being true. 

What do you believe? The collusion story, or the Biblical account? The Biblical account will be celebrated Easter Sunday by millions. 

I hope you are one of them! 

You are welcome to join us at 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Dan Krahenbuhl is pastor of Monroe Bible Church.