While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling 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.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Arrogance causes people to make up any excuse to cover for themselves. Here are the Jewish leaders, faced with the supernatural power of God, and they deny it.

Not only do they deny that Jesus rose from the dead, even though the evidence clearly affirms it; they also spread untrue rumors that his disciples stole his body. This was a lie and probably meant the disciples could soon be getting into trouble.

Arrogance knows no bounds in its attempts to keep its power and stroke its ego. When you run across an arrogant person, don’t go into business with them or work ministry with them. In the end, they will only do what is in their best interest to keep their power and position. They will not care about their commitments. They will just make excuses as to why they shouldn’t have to keep their commitments.

In contrast, godly men stand for what is right and true. They shine a light, a light that can be seen far away. It has a broad impact. This is the light of the Holy Spirit shining from out of them, as they serve him.

Lord, help me to remember that the ends do not justify the means and you care about how we get places, not just where we think we’re going to end up. Help me to live a life that reflects your glory. Help me to be more considerate and thoughtful.