How does Matthew 28:14 demonstrate the importance of truth in our lives? The Setting Matthew 28 records the resurrection morning. The guards at the tomb witness the angel, the earthquake, and the empty grave. Terrified, they report to the chief priests. Instead of receiving the miracle, the priests fabricate a cover‐story: “Tell the people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this matter is heard by the governor, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble.” (Matthew 28:13-14) The Crisis of Truth in Matthew 28:14 • Money is exchanged to suppress eyewitness testimony. • A false narrative is crafted to explain away the resurrection. • Religious leaders pledge political protection so the lie can stand. Every part of the verse shows the lengths to which people will go to avoid truth that confronts their agenda. Lessons About the Cost of Lying • Lying is deliberate. A meeting, a scheme, a payoff—falsehood rarely “just happens.” • Lying is infectious. Once the priests lie, the guards must lie, and Pilate must be manipulated. • Lying is costly. Silver changes hands, reputations are risked, eternal souls are imperiled. • Lying is temporary. “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19) The Enduring Power of Truth • The guards’ story evaporated; the resurrection endures. • The priests tried to silence living truth; instead it spread from Jerusalem “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). • Scripture underscores truth’s invincibility: “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8) Living Truthfully Today 1. Admit truth, even when it unsettles our plans. 2. Speak truth: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” (Ephesians 4:25) 3. Defend truth: refuse to repeat or circulate convenient half-truths. 4. Rest in truth: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Scripture Echoes • Psalm 51:6—God desires truth in the inner being. • Zechariah 8:16—“Speak the truth to one another.” • 3 John 1:4—No greater joy than to hear children “walking in the truth.” • Revelation 21:8—All liars face judgment. Matthew 28:14 is a sober reminder: when we trade truth for convenience, we may gain a momentary peace but lose eternal integrity. Cling to truth; Christ’s resurrection proves it will prevail. |
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