Earthquakes & Empty Graves

“All over the world, churches are filled with worshipers because there is an empty tomb in Jerusalem.”  - Billy Graham

What an amazing God we serve! He shakes the earth and brings the dead to life. He alone has authority over life and death. At Easter we cry out, “O Death, where is your sting,” and because of Christ’s work on the cross, we do not have to fear death. Instead, we celebrate the reality of an empty tomb discovered over 2000 years ago!

On resurrection morning, God shook the earth with a quake that opened the tomb for all to see. The soldiers standing guard were down for the count while God’s messenger freely shared the good news of any empty tomb! The women who came to Jesus’ tomb were welcomed with both an invitation and a proclamation. “Come and see” for yourselves. “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6) With mixed emotions jumbling inside they did as the angel instructed. Facing their fear and jumping for joy, they hurried off to tell the disciples all that they had seen and heard.

But, God didn’t stop there. Oh no! On their way to share the news who did the women run into but Jesus! The one and only! They were already excited, scared and confused. Their minds must have been whirling, yet they worshiped. (It’s true. It’s true. It really is Jesus! He’s alive!) The comforting assurances of their Lord gave them strength to continue on their way. Without hesitation, the resurrection ladies carry Jesus’ message to the disciples and tell them to meet up with Him in Galilee, just as He had said.

Amazingly, Jesus wasn’t the only one who physically proclaimed God’s power over death that day. God had set the stage a few days earlier for an influx of resurrection miracles to enter Jerusalem. Matthew 27:53 tells us that “many holy people” went into the city and appeared to many. Yes, God opened the flood gates of resurrection life. On Good Friday, as Jesus proclaimed that His work was done and gave up His Spirit, another earthquake shook Israel. The “curtain of the temple was torn in two…the earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs.” Yet, in God's timing they did not enter Jerusalem until after Jesus’ ultimate resurrection. (Matthew 27:51-53) What a sight that would have been to behold!

The Bible doesn’t tell us what eventually happens to these holy people, but we do know that God gave sign upon sign of His power to those who had eyes to see. What celebrations must have taken place that resurrection day. From weeping and mourning to rejoicing and hope. I can only imagine the excitement and amazement people felt as they came face to face with the fact that miracles really do happen. Not just to one person, or a few select people - but to all who believe!

We, too, will experience the resurrection of the “holy people” one day. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that “the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (v. 52) Death, will once and for all be “swallowed up in victory.” (15:54b) The victory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It will happen in a blink of an eye. One minute we’ll be here doing the work we've been called to do – just as the women of Easter morning. The next minute, tombs will once again break open and those who know Jesus, as Savior, will be in His presence from that moment until forevermore. Talk about earth shaking news! 

So, what do we do with all we've been promised?

“Therefore, my dear brothers (and sisters!), stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (15:58) No matter how shaky the ground may seem beneath our feet at times, we must strive to live in the witness and hope of Jesus Christ - proclaimed in an empty tomb found in Jerusalem that first Easter morn. 

All for Him. All because He Lives!

yokemates.blogspot.com