Tomb Raider

Matthew 27:50-54
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2008 Harold Dinsmore

           “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 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 the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

               What is it about Jesus that causes people to be raised from the dead?  What is it that is demonstrated just a few days later when Jesus himself is raised from the dead?  Jesus was actually a Tomb Raider.  He raided tombs with the power of God Almighty!!  This incident is indicative of the nature and character of God.  God is always doing things out of the ordinary.  That is the nature of God.  “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4.  He is in the business of restoring us to himself.  He is in the business of making things right.  He is in the business of redeeming and saving those who are captivated by sin, death, hell and the grave.  Look at that passage I just read.  Holy people got up from their graves and walked among the people again.