Only Matthew tells the story.
After Jesus’ burial, his enemies said to Pilate: “We remember [Jesus] said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised . . . This last deception will be worse than the first.”
There’s a bit of humor here I think. The eleven fled when Jesus was arrested. They were nowhere to be found at his trial (except for Peter and John and one of them denied him). They kept their distance at his crucifixion and locked their doors after his death. Evidencing cowardice during his life, would they become courageous now that he was dead?
Another bit of humor is to be found in the word “secure.” It occurs three times in three verses. Christ’s enemies want the tomb secured. Pilate gives orders to make it secure. The tomb is made secure. At least . . . as secure as it can be made. It would appear even Pilate had a bit of insecurity about the security of that tomb.
Those who know the story cannot help but smile at all this. Not even death can keep Jesus in the ground.
When the temptation to doubt creeps into your life – and it will – and the resultant fear comes hot on its heels, remember this one thing: the tomb is empty, just as Jesus said it would be. Whatever is challenging your life, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is looking out for those who are his. There is no power that can foil God’s will for the life that trusts in Him. No matter how painful that trusting might become, whether the sun comes up tomorrow or not, a new day will dawn, because the Son is risen.