By: Obed Pineda
Long ago, there was an explorer on a quest searching for the elusive Garden of Eden. His goal was to rediscover the location of the Biblical garden, in hopes of locating the Tree of Life (and with it the panacea of life). His heart’s desire was to put his hands on the fruit that possessed the power to grant everlasting life and return it to the world; it had become his life’s work. He had read and carefully studied every Biblical text relating to the garden’s location, researched the work of those who tried before him, and traveled to several possible locations combing through them thoroughly, coming up short each time. Many warned the explorer that he had devoted too much time and effort to an unrealistic goal and often reminded him that all who tried before him had failed, thus proving it was indeed an unattainable ambition. Nevertheless, his conviction that he would rediscover Eden fueled him and he did not relent in his search for paradise. His obsession with finding the tree had pushed away everyone, leaving him completely alone on his hunt. One day his deep-seated convictions finally proved him true for he found the lost garden, but tragically it (along with the Tree of Life) was far beyond his reach. When he stumbled upon it, the stunning and incomparable beauty of its pristine, untouched land assured him that he had found Eden, but it sat on the other side of deep and wide gap. He had found a bridge that crossed over the chasm into the garden, but what he unveiled about the bridge as he excitedly crossed it, ultimately shattered all his hopes and dreams of ever eating from the Tree of Life. The bridge that led to Eden was unfinished by a mile and a half to two miles. Regrettably the distance that the bridge had covered, was not enough for him to successfully set foot on Eden’s soil. In that moment he realized that his profound faith that he would find the Tree of Life was insufficient because he was unprepared for what was necessary to achieve his lifelong goal. Never did it cross his mind that he would need to finish building the bridge that led to Eden, because he believed with all of his might that when he found it, he would be able to enter it effortlessly. The same is true for anyone who is convinced that faith alone, without proper actions, will be enough to enter into everlasting life. It behooves us to understand that this author is not saying that faith is not a vital component for salvation, but rather that it alone is insufficient to redeem man from his sinful ways (cf. James 2:14-26). Sadly too many denominations have convinced numerous people that if they wholeheartedly believe, they will be able to jump the last mile of the way and land on paradise successfully, thus “eliminating” the need to finish bridging the gap. However, champions of this doctrine are ignoring one key truth; it is possible to believe and still not be saved. In an effort to satisfy the burden of proof of this statement, let us carefully examine the reactions of those who were present the morning the Savior rose from His grave (cf. Matthew 28:1ff). The inspired Matthew records in this final section of his Gospel account two antipodal groups of people linked to the events of that Sunday morning: Mary Magdalene with “the other Mary” and the Roman soldiers set by Pontius Pilate to guard Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:1-4). Observe that both groups saw with their own eyes the angel of the Lord who “descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow” (Matthew 28:2-3). Furthermore, all of them believed that what they witnessed was taking place in real time and it was not a dream nor a vision. The guards “shook for fear of him, and became like dead men” and the two Mary’s had a conversation with the angel (Matthew 28:4-7). After having experienced this extraordinary event, notice that both sides went to report what took place to their respective parties. This action further indicates that both sides believed in what they had seen to be real, because Mary Magdalene and Mary “went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word” and “while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened” (Matthew 28:8, 11). Up to this point in Scripture the reactions of both parties are very similar, establishing that they believed that Jesus had risen from the grave since this was the report that both groups were giving to the people that had been designated to them. Yet, it is what each side does with the news of Jesus’ resurrection where Holy Writ illumines the difference between complete faith and incomplete faith. The conviction of Mary Magdalene and Mary that they had seen and spoken with the Lord persuaded the eleven that the instructions these women were giving them, certainly came from Him, and was demonstrated in their obedience to His commandment (cf. Matthew 28:9-10, 16). On the other hand, it is unquestionable that the chief priests and elders of the Jews believed the guard’s report as well but instead of repenting of their heinous crime, “they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure” (Matthew 28:12-14). The chief priests’ and elders’ reaction to the news begs the following query: If they did not believe the report given by the guards, why bribe and instruct them to cover it up? The Bible’s revelation of the fearful reaction they had to the news proves that they indeed believed Jesus had risen from the dead. But their belief was insufficient because instead of producing in them a spirit of meekness and penitence, it birthed in them a spirit of wickedness and deceit. Pay attention, dear reader, how both actions stemmed from believing, yet one faith led to Christ but the other led away from Him. The bridge that connected to the Tree of Life was the disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ instructions seeing that they “went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” (Matthew 28:16). Even though the guards, chief priests, and Jewish elders all believed, it was insufficient because “they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (Matthew 28:15). The defiant action that the leaders of the Jews took, created a false doctrine that denied a great multitude of people access to God’s saving grace. Although the soldiers beheld the risen Christ, they chose instead to follow the instructions of men, breathing life to the chief priests and elders nefarious purposes. This lie is no different than those encouraging men to believe that they can jump across a two mile stretch, if they truly believe they can fly. It is a dreadful truth to learn that many have believed this false report and thus jumped, only to fall to their sure death. Therefore, let us instead be prepared to finish building the bridge that leads to Paradise, remembering the Redeemers exhortation, “blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28)!