Scripture:
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54 ESV)
Observation:
There were a number of extraordinary things happening surrounding Jesus’ death. I have learned many of these things over the years and yet I struggle to be constantly and habitually amazed by them. Why is that?
Application:
This could have been a scene from any Marvel movie; or any action fantasy…even a highly detailed video game. The scene changes from the Temple where the curtain to the Holy of Holy’s is torn from the TOP to the BOTTOM (not from the bottom up)…to the surrounding city where earthquakes are happening to rocks splitting…to the cemetery where dead folks are jumping up alive again (not zombies)…back to Jerusalem proper where these “alive again” folks are being seen by many…back to Golgotha—where all the executioners could respond with was awe—“This truly was the Son of God!!” I can’t tell anybody when I last experienced an earthquake, saw dead folks walking around, saw rocks crack in two, etc. But, knowing that I have experienced the Grace of God in making me a new man with a new heart, should I be any less in awe? Any less in wonder? Any less in amazement? I just don’t think and meditate about these things enough. I don’t study the Gospel. I do things. I work. I like activity more than study, thinking, conversing with one another (a different activity than witnessing). I talk about the last game more than I talk about whatever new and neat thing I found in the Scriptures or side reading to my buds. Gotta change that habit….
Prayer:
Father—Your word is like honey, sweeter than the honey comb. Please help me to treasure Your Word more and more. Help me to talk about You and Your deeds to my children, grandchildren, and to the next generations to come. Am I a guy who is considered in love with Your Word? May I be found so by the community around me…Amen.