The Seal

            “Mom, why was there a seal on Jesus’ tomb?”

            Immediately, I understood what my young son meant.  “Oh, honey,” I answered, “the Bible doesn’t mean the animal kind of seal.  It means that the opening to the tomb was covered up by a big stone so nobody could go in—or get out.”

            Now, those may have not been my exact words, but you get the idea.   And if you read Matthew 27: 65-66, my son’s literal interpretation becomes clearer.  When the chief priests and Pharisees brought their concerns to Pilate that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body to deceive the people into thinking Jesus had actually risen from the dead, Pilate took immediate action:

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered.  “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”  So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

            To be honest, I enjoy picturing a real, live seal sitting atop the stone.  Its flippers clapping together and its honking kind of bark would signal that something extra special was going to take place.  People would gather to see this unique sight.  The guards would have to hold the crowds back as well as slip a fresh fish or two to the seal. 

            Of course, it did not happen that way.  But imagining the scene of live seal on real tomb helps me understand the puzzlement my son Joseph must have felt when he asked me that question 20+ years ago. 

            Maybe, as adults, we should puzzle over the gospels more.  We should study out our questions to discover the pertinent answers the Bible has to give.  Seemingly silly questions deserve serious thought.  Leaving no stone unturned (and, perhaps, no seal unexamined), as we dig into serious study we will uncover the ultimate answer to our questions in a Person: Jesus the Christ.  He is the baby born in a manger, the former carpenter teaching the crowds and healing the sick, the suffering servant hanging on the cross, and the Son of God risen from the dead.