June 27, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:1-4
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
How would Hollywood portray this scene?
Most depictions of angels do not seem frightening, not likely to scare Roman soldiers like this.
Not just like a human form, more like a flashing, pulsating, blinding light with subtle human yet non-human qualities… something to scare them to death.
Why is there an earthquake again, just before a resurrection (Matthew 27:51-52)?
It’s as if the very creation is groaning, as if with (re)birth pangs.
We know that all that God created has been groaning. It is in pain as if it were giving birth to a child. The created world continues to groan even now. (Romans 8:22)
Not only the dawn of a day, but of a new reality.
This is one of several epochal events (creation, fall, resurrection, last day) when everything changes.
God is reversing the disaster of sin and restoring the dynamism of creation – live, hope, joy, blessing, peace, justice, health, wholeness!
And the angels and all creation rejoice!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, everything changes here. The curse of sin is broken, and Life is restored. May Your resurrection be epochal for me!
Matthew 28:1-4
The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it. His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Observations:
The Mary’s went down to the tomb. Didn’t they hear?
The violent earthquake! Whom did the guards call to? God? Their gods? They were like dead men because they thought they were dead – the end of the world.
Application:
God shakes His people back to reality. Experiencing an earthquake one calls upon God. The Haitians did. I did. It was the end of the world at that time. A life changing experience for many. God speaks in many ways but do I hear? Living dead men the guards were. I am alive. Alive forevermore since I serve a risen Saviour -Jesus Christ. He is risen – indeed. Birth – Life – Death – Resurrection – Ascension – the Return = life forevermore.
Prayer:
Lord, hep me daily see You speaking loud and clear through Your Word, through Your Creation, through Your Spirit.
Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou has sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children lost and lone.
Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hung’ring ones with manna sweet.
Oh, strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing pow’r
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.
Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.