Read Matt. 27:57-66
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’

Our God is a God of promises made and promises kept. We have a great set up here in Matthew. We have first a promise kept and then a recollection of a promise made.

First the promise kept. And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isa 53:9) Jesus was laid in the tom of Joseph who was a rich man. I don’t know Joseph’s character but if we simply believe the scripture, “The soul that sins is the soul that dies,” then anyone in the grave is wicked. But wait! Jesus is in the grave. What is Jesus then? Well to all appearances he must be wicked by that standard.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
(Isa 53:5) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:6) Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:10-12)

Jesus fulfills this in his death and burial for us. Now the Pharisees are worried his promise will come true or his disciples will make it appear this way. What is that? On the third day he will rise from the dead. What do we know happened? Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus keeps God’s promises. For all God’s promises are “Yes” in him. And so through him we can say “Amen,” to the glory of God. (2Co 1:20)

Here is a promise for you today: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1Ti 1:15) If you are a sinner this is good news for you.

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for being the yes to all of the Father’s promises. Grant us faith to believe that you will keep all your promises given us in your Word. Amen.