Why Not Just Believe?

In Matthew 28 we have a record of Jesus’ resurrection. One of the more interesting and frustrating passages of the Bible (for me anyway) is the following verses: 11 Now 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. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

So the guards know what happened; that Jesus truly rose from the dead. The chief priests now know what happened, based on the testimony of the guards and the fact that there is no body. But they refuse to believe. The chief priests bribe the soldiers to lie. In the face of overwhelming, insurmountable evidence the religious leaders deny the resurrection. Why? Was it because they feared they would lose their power and authority? Was it because they didn’t want to be “wrong” about Jesus? I wonder how they slept at night; knowing that they were perpetuating a life. But then I feel this same way about many people I come into contact with. Why won’t they just believe? They have no reason not to believe in Jesus Christ. Their life is not what they want…they find themselves trapped again and again and again and yet they refuse to follow Jesus. I am keenly aware of the necessary work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men. I suppose I will never fully know the answer to the question, “Why not just believe?” What is your answer to that question? Do you believe? Or, are you believing a lie that someone told you or that you have been telling yourself?