In Matthew 27:50-53, we read: “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.”
Certainly this has to be the most overlooked passage of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Dead people raised to life and appearing to people? I'm not surprised that it's overlooked. I mean, quite frankly, what do we make of it?
I think it is significant that these tombs were opened immediately upon the death of Jesus. The temple curtain was torn from top to bottom and there was an earthquake. If I weren't a follower of Jesus then, I'd be thinking twice about this man, that's for sure. Then add the bodies of men coming to life? Where do I sign up?
Can you for a moment imagine the testimony of those raised to life? Do you think they talked about the weather or sports or clothes or food? No way! They had just overcome death and were now breathing and talking. They had seen the glory of God and were going to tell everyone they could about it. Talk about a testimony!
And yet, are we really any different than these unnamed people? Haven't we been rescued from the throes of spiritual death? Haven't our lives been radically changed? Don't we also have life changing testimony?
If so, why are we so timid and afraid of what others will think of us?
