What Jesus Did! 'No Plan Can Stand Against God' — Matthew 28:11-12

Sunday, December 28, 2025

As the women [who saw Jesus after seeing the empty tomb] were on their way [to tell the disciples], some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.
— Matthew 28:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

The elders made a plan! We've heard this before. They had been planning for a long time how they would get rid of Jesus. When Judas accepted their deal, they thought they had this "Jesus problem" figured out. Little did they know that their plan put them in opposition to God. Little did they know that their plan would not only furnish the early disciples - and us - with the validation of a Savior, but also furnish the disciples the fire to spread their message all over the world. But for now, the elders needed another plan because they had been defeated at their execution of Jesus. He arose from the grave! It was a grave guarded by Roman soldiers. They had even asked for the soldiers to guard the tomb for fear the disciples might steal Jesus' body. But when you oppose God and his work, your plans are doomed to fail. We are the living proof of their failure and the failure of generations like them. Jesus' followers still know that he is the living Lord of all creation and no plan can extinguish that faith.

Today's Prayer

I know, all powerful Father, that there are those who plan the eradication of all Christian believers from their country, and some even dream of the day that we will be eliminated from the face of the earth. So I pray now for all my brothers and sisters, and all those close to believing in Jesus as Lord, who find themselves in hostile circumstances. Please give them hope that even though some plan to silence them, the message will never be stopped if they keep telling it. I join with thousands of other voices today Father, and pray for the victory of the Good News of Jesus Christ all over the world. In the name of the one true Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 5:34-39
  • Matthew 26:1-5
  • 1 John 4:4

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 28:11-12 NLT — A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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