Matthew 28:11-15
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

It’s not hard to imagine the scenario described here—powerful and influential people using money to spread a lie that fits in with their own narrative and benefits them and what they are trying to do. It’s not hard to imagine other people willing to take that money and perpetuate the lie. It’s not hard to imagine many people believing a lie and denying truth even when there is sufficient evidence to support it.

The chief priests gave large money to spread a lie about Jesus. They didn’t want people to recognize that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they didn’t want to acknowledge that truth themselves. But spreading lies doesn’t stop the truth. The truth is free, and the truth sets us free. The father of lies does all he can to turn people away from the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done, but Jesus is alive, and the truth prevails.

Many are willing to tell lies, to spread lies, and to believe lies, but that doesn’t change what is true. The Pharisees were willing to give large money to attempt to cover up what had really happened, but what am I willing to do to spread the truth? What am I willing to give so that people can hear the voice of truth calling out from among the untruths this world has to offer? What am I willing to do so that the clear message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection can continue to be proclaimed to a lost and dying world?