I just finished reading the Book of Matthew again, and I had two “Whoa” thoughts just now…
The first is in Matthew 28:18 Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
That’s a huge statement. Then following verses relate to the fact that He has all authority:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
I don’t know – it just struck me as totally awesome that Jesus basically said, “I have all authority in heaven and earth – and I’m giving YOU the authority to make disciples.” That was a “whoa cool” moment and I wanted to share it.
The second this is more of a question. Check this out. In Matthew 27 Jesus was cruicfied. Listen to what happened as He died (starting in verse 50, emphasis mine): “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.”
Okay so firstly I just want to point out that I think its interesting how Jesus’ resurrection had SO MUCH POWER that these holy dead people were also raised to life. That’s just cool. I also think its interesting that these people were resurrected with enough strength to push the stone away from their tomb while on the inside (either that or the stone was miraculously moved – which is totally reasonable but we don’t know for sure. I like to imagine them pushing that rock away themselves).
But where are their stories? Didn’t one of them do a 5 city book tour on their new book, “Coming Out of the Tomb” or something? Seriously – didn’t their stories get written down someplace? I’m talking about Extrabiblical resources. If anyone knows of anything please let me know, because I want to read it!
What would those stories be like? How long had they been dead? Did they experience a heavenly realm before being resurrected? Were they actually and literally present to watch Jesus remove Satan from authority over the gates of hell? I just don’t know.
Or perhaps the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the only thing the Early Church was even worried about. Perhaps those holy men who were resurrected weren’t concerned about recording their stories, but about being a witness for THE Resurrection that actually saved them.
Maybe those with a resurrected spirit (the Church) ought to do the same thing. Afterall, The One with all authority has given us the authority to do it.
The second “whoa” caught my attention. I think I like the idea that the people where more concerned about Jesus’ resurrection, than their own…but, it’s all speculation, I guess.
I also noticed that a careful reading shows that the holy people where resurrected when Jesus gave up the ghost and the ceil was torn. They started to testify in the cities after his resurrection…this is one of those places that has always reminded me of Paul saying the he preaches Christ crucified…
Anyway, just an observation…
Good thoughts. To my knowledge, no other source mentions what happened at the time of Jesus’ death. But I could be wrong.
I wonder why it says they went out into the city after His resurrection. What were they doing in their tombs since Friday? The text seems to indicate they were resurrected at the moment of His death, but only emerged from their tombs at the time of His resurrection on Sunday.
Thoughts?
perhaps it took them three days to actually get the stone moved. lol.
Or MAYBE they were resurrected with an increased sensitive spirit… and they prayed for three days… knowing Jesus was kicking the devil’s butt.
Totally speculation.
They were probably mad and sat in there pouting. Wouldn’t you be? After meeting God and spending time in Heaven, and then being yanked back down to the crummy Earth for another round here. Even if it were for a good cause…Oh, I think I’d be mad. Like the little guy on Ice Age II when he was yanked away from the golden acorn. That kind of mad.
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