I try to check these things out first, so I am relatively sure that the phrase “Damage Control” was not around until the year 1943. It obviously was an expression that came out of – the World War II Era.
It means measures taken to “offset” or “minimize damage” to “reputation,” “credibility,” or “public image” caused by a “controversial act,” “remark,” or “revelation.”
We are used to hearing about “damage control today! The requirement for it happens often…maybe even, too often.
It is all about “containment of damage” or “loss.” One might even refer to it as being, “disaster control.”
I am not sure “how they labeled it” or what they called it in Jesus’ time. But you get the idea and the gist…
It was obviously necessary – even then!
There was a problem – Jerusalem.
It reminds me a little bit like Palm/Passion Sunday with all the happenings and going on simultaneously in the Holy City.
It comes off almost as a setting of a theatrical production: While one small group of women was scurrying off to tell the disciples – the message from the angel. The soldiers were on the way to the chief priests with an entirely different disposition.
The women were no doubt filled with apprehensive joy, some obvious confusion, reviving hope and finding themselves to be almost completely speechlessness.
The soldiers were even more confused, but full of fear and disappointment and probably felt a little bit of personal shame and embarrassment.
Some of the guard would have been forced to stay behind – because that’s what they were told to do – until their relief would come. You cannot simply abandon your post and expect to live.
Nor can you have a dead prisoner disappear and expect to live.
So, at least a couple of them would have been forced to guard an empty – open wide tomb. They had to pretend to be protecting what was already missing.
The remaining guard went into the city itself to report to the Temple authorities.
There was a problem and it was a big problem. It was a problem not only for the posted guard but also for the chief priests, scribes and the Sanhedrin, as a whole.
The guard reported the earthquake, probably being knocked off their feet and being powerless to respond. No one knows for sure if they reported the women showing up, and an Angelophany.
But they must have reported finding the tomb empty. After things quieted down, they must have done a thorough search of the tomb itself – to find it empty. They probably also searched the immediate area.
Damage control was needed and it was needed immediately.
What to do? What to say? And whatever the case – it must be agreed upon by all parties involved. They must speak with one voice.
Unfortunately, there was no good explanation as to “what” happened or “how” it happened. It was a problem.
For 2,000 years, the world has stared at that self-same empty tomb…
Our mouths are ajar, we look confused and stymied. We question. Just like the Sanhedrin. The “issue” that they believed was resolved…this rebel teacher and distracter of the people, had risen to a more problematic state. The body that they had believed had been buried and behind them – was missing and could present even more problems in the near future. It was their move, and they needed to handle this aggressively and powerfully. They needed a plan…they needed “damage control” and they needed it NOW!
The easiest path seemed to be threefold. Plant a lie, pay the guards off and blame the disciples. The governor would also have to be spoken to…on behalf of the posted guard. It was thought, it just might work. Especially if everyone told the same story…there could be no deviation…from it. The damage might be contained…or so, it was hoped.
After all the whole Sanhedrin or the Council of Jewish Elders couldn’t be wrong – could it? After all, they were the righteous ones…