At once the curtain in the temple was torn in tow from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. They left their graves, and after Jesus had risen to life, they went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.
Matthew 27:51-53 (CEV)
This is one of many passages in the Bible where 1-2 verses will be FULL of long-term, life-changing, eternal-plan words!
In this moment when Jesus laid down His life for me the curtain that separated me from the Most Holy Place, separated me from the very Presence of God – is ripped apart; destroyed for all time! I can now come and be with my Heavenly Father. Jesus showed me what it is like to have a relationship with God. No longer will the Father be ‘up there’ somewhere and I need a Moses or someone else to go and present my need or even my praise to Him!
In the moment that Jesus laid down His life for me all creation trembled…shook…and every barrier, or rock, was demolished! No more barriers! If there are ‘barriers’ in my relationship with God, they are of my own making. If there is sin that I choose not to release, then there is a barrier. If I allow unworthiness to keep me at a distance from God, then there is a barrier. If I put greater importance on other things or people, then there is a barrier. Jesus broke down every true barrier. I am FREE!
In the moment that Jesus laid down His life for me death truly died! Now that may sound redundant but when death no longer has the power to permanently destroy or separate us – hope lives! Graves are no longer the end but only a closet door to be opened, not into a closed room, but into life forever! How amazing that these people came alive and re-entered the lives of their loved ones – and this is all that we read about it! I think if I woke up tomorrow morning and found my son, James, or my parents at my door…I would be calling everyone to come over for a party! And then I would be flooding the blog world, Facebook, and asking my children for their expertise on how to get the word out! “WOW! Look what God did!!!â€
John in his gospel tells us that not everything has been written about Jesus…there is more to come! It is for each of us to write about Jesus. We may write in many ways as we each have different avenue of communication. Some of us write. Some of us speak. Some of us are blessed to live our lives in such a way that all people see…is Jesus. That may very well be the best, don’t you think?
“I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.†Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
Another four verses of God’s word to think about today. God is so good and so faithful to invite me into His presence and give me fresh meat, fresh bread, fresh water to nourish my spirit. My spirit is filled with thanks as I sit with Him today.
