“The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”
Matthew 27:52-53
Be honest, how many times have you heard an Easter weekend message reference this passage? I know I have never heard one, and I certainly understand why. This is such a crazy aspect of the story of what Jesus did for each of us on the cross. But these details are included in this story purposefully and are worth our time and attention.
We still need to ask then, why include this detail in the story? Why does it matter and what am I supposed to do with it?
People being raised from the dead, although an uncommon occurrence, was not uncommon in Jesus’ ministry and the ministry of His disciples. The best example is that of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. This particular miracle was a part of a bigger story showing the immense love, care and power of Jesus. The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead defied all that was common understanding to the people of the day. When you’re dead, you are dead.
But we know Jesus defied many things with His life and ministry.
As we look at this particular event in the story of Jesus’ sacrifice, let’s refresh ourselves with the beginning. The moment Jesus died set off a series of events all happening together. The veil was torn from top to bottom, a great earthquake took place so fierce rocks were split, tombs were opened and those who were dead came to life, walked out and then appeared to many. What a series of events.
We discovered the spiritual depth and meaning of the veil being torn from top to bottom and the impact of the earth responding to Jesus’ death by shaking and breaking. Leading us to the tombs being opened.
Many scholars believe the tombs were opened because of the earthquake. It shook so violently that heavy rocks in place to seal the tombs of the dead were cracked and opened, making way for the miracle of new life to those who were once dead.
The miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead was an individual and impactful event, but this miracle of raising the dead to life impacted many, many more than those present mourning the death of a friend. This supernatural occurrence was on display for so many people to witness. And it would have been obvious as to where this power came from. Jesus’ death was the highlight of the day as many knew about and witnessed. When Jesus died, the veil completely ripped, the earth shook, the tombs opened and the dead were raised would have been an event thousands of people would have witnessed. And to reach even more, these passages also said the dead “appeared to many”.
This is a lot to take in and you really have to stop and think this through. Putting yourself in the place of someone witnessing this, an incredible occurrence to behold.
Going even further than the physical impact it would have been to see this, we can see the spiritual impact this had as well.
The enemy thought he had won. He thought he finally conquered Jesus and silenced Him. But if only he knew what would take place in a few short days, he would not have celebrated Jesus dying. The power of dead saints being raised back to life and appearing to many shows something vitally important: death is no master of our Master!
This event was a precursor of what was about to take place. The enemy should have known when the dead was raised that Jesus was not going to stay down for long. Jesus showed He is not only Lord of Lords, but master of sin, death and the grave. This cataclysmic event was further evidence of Christ overcoming death! Bringing such hope to His children, showcasing we have a God who cannot be ruled by any and is all powerful.
What would you think if you were there witnessing Jesus being crucified and dying, then to see these events happen? What would you be feeling? What emotions would be coursing through your body? What thoughts would be going through your mind? I cannot imagine being in the audience of all of these things taking place, but I feel fairly certain I’d know this was a meaningful and impactful event.
At the moment of Jesus’ death, all hope was lost. When these events took place immediately following His death, I’m certain hope began to rise! And He is the God of hope, as well as the God of life, and life abundantly (John 10:10)!
If the enemy only knew what would take place when Jesus died, he would not have been celebrating. He would have been wise to fight it. But that is why God is God and he is not! God knows the end from the beginning and displays His power and might to show He has no master. Not even death, torture and mockery. Our God is Master of all.
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? … But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 57
Not only is death not master over Jesus, He gave us the same victory and declared death is not master over God’s children either! This is the power of the “saints being raised”, a further declaration of Jesus’ authority over death, and the authority He has given us. We are alive in Him, and in Him we have life and eternal life in Him. Death is subject to our God and I am so grateful for the inclusion of this detail in the event of Jesus’ crucifixion over 2,000 years ago.
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
I wonder what it would have been like to be one of the “many” the dead appeared to that day. The amount of faith and hope in Jesus it would initiate and create in the moment. One of the most amazing things is, this was part of His plan. A hint at what’s to come. While Jesus submitted Himself to death, He was not going to be mastered by it. And then paving the way for us to walk in the same power.
Let this portion of the story be a hope to you. A hope in an all powerful God who will not be mastered by anything of this world. A hope in a God who gives us the power of His resurrection and the opportunity for life everlasting with Him. A hope in life and life abundantly!
