Message
Matthew 27:52-53
Dead Saints Walking
In this time of Lent we are considering some of the strange or unusual events that are recorded in connection with the death and resurrection of Jesus.
These events are only recorded in one or two verses of Scripture, they have real significance for our understanding of the power of the death and resurrection of Christ.
We read this section of Scripture last week.
But we are going to read it again.
Matthew 27:45-56
The specific passage I want to focus on is this one:-
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.
Matthew 27:51b-53
Who are the “holy people?”
It is possible that this refers to the great saints like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is possible but quite unlikely. The fact that the tombs are empty causes enough of a stir – had it been revealed that it was Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – well that would cause a mighty uproar in the city. Also we get the impression that the ones were instantly recognised. It’s like a homecoming with many people in the city welcoming back loved ones who have recently passed away.
The holy people we should have in mind are those who have died more recently, and who now go back to a city where they are recognised without introduction.
These once dead people are now roaming the streets catching up with friends and family. It’s certainly something no one will forget.
If ever you needed a good plot for a movie – this would be it.
You could have a scene where a wife comes home from the shopping to discover that her once dead husband having a conversation with the man she married after her first husband died. They could be sharing a beer together and having a few laughs.
You could have a scene where a once dead husband was having an argument with his wife about the way she had spent the insurance money on new carpet and curtains.
Passages like this are easy to speculate about especially because it is such a brief account.
But this passage was not written to make us open a Pandora’s box of speculation. These verses were written to tell us something about the nature of Jesus’ death.
To see the significance let’s have a closer look at the process involved ... because it happens in two stages. The first stage happens immediately at the death of Jesus.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment … the tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs.
Matthew 27:50-53a
You can guarantee this caused a big stir on Friday there is a bit of a stir.
Remember the people then were not buried in the ground like we do today.
People were buried in caves with rocks rolled in front … that is how Jesus was buried.
It would be easy to see open and empty tombs.
Upon investigation of doing a missing body count, a trend would develop. Not all the tombs are empty – not everyone has come to life.
And that is a difficult trend for the Jews to deal with … because an event like this shouldn’t happen.
It was a common belief by most Jews that there would be a resurrection.
However when that resurrection did take place the Jews expected all Jews to rise, not a limited number.
The fact that some bodies remain in the tombs would cause a few comfort zones to be ruffled.
Imagine you were a Pharisee on that day. From your earliest theological training days you have been told that all Pharisees will be included in the resurrection. But I suspect that there would have been quite a few Pharisee Tombs which were undisturbed. These people are still in their graves – it’s a truth that shocks the Pharisees.
The breaking open of these tombs has created a crisis. Certain everyone would be asking, “Where are the bodies?” They will have that answer on the day Jesus rises from the dead. But the bigger crisis is a faith crisis – why is it that some were raised and others were not?
That question brings us to the second stage of the process.
after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Matthew 27:53b
When Jesus died everyone thought it was all over.
Look at the disciples. John was the only one who stayed around to watch Jesus being crucified – as far as the others were concerned their leader was finished. After Jesus’ death the disciples went into hiding, pondering what to do. They didn’t even believe the report of the women that Jesus was alive.
Look at the women who were close to Jesus. They watched from a distance as Jesus was being buried. Afterwards they went home and collected the spices and perfumes. On the Sunday morning they were on their way to the tomb to finish the burial process. As far as they were concerned it was over.
Look at the Pharisees and leaders. Jesus had taunted them for years, and now the rebel was gone. He didn’t come down from the cross so they had no reason for belief. Without a leader the followers would soon disperse – along with the heretical and radical teachings. As far as they were concerned it was over.
They all thought it was over.
But looks can be deceiving.
That is because death is not a natural occurrence.
Death is the result of sin.
• The grave has every right to hold us, unless our sin can be covered.
• Death has every right to keep us, unless a payment can be made.
• Satan has every right to make a claim on us, unless a ransom has been given.
And when Jesus breathed His last that is exactly what happened. Sin is covered. A payment is made. A ransom is given. And death watches helplessly as Jesus claims what is rightfully His.
It is at the death of Jesus that victory is secured.
The resurrection of Jesus is more like a victory lap.
Sin has been covered.
The payment has been paid.
When all these recently risen holy ones enter the city they are do so as participants in the victory lap of Jesus.
And that is the reason why all were not raised.
All were not raised because, in their lifetime, they had their eyes focussed on the wrong spot.
• The holy people were the ones who trusted that God had set them apart, not because they were Jewish, but because He was faithful.
• The holy people didn’t presume they had a place in heaven just because they were born in Jerusalem, they trusted in the grace of God to bring them into His family.
• The holy people were not those who sacrificed at the temple and then went on with life as they pleased, they sacrificed their hearts as well.
• The holy people understood they couldn’t do it on their own and they needed God.
Each of those empty tombs represents a person who understands that real spiritual victory cannot be earned ... but rather that spiritual victory can only be found when we put our trust in God’s incredible grace.
So where does all of this leave us today?
Firstly it leaves us with a challenge. What we are seeing here is a preview of what is going to happen in the future. There will be a day when a resurrection will occur – and it is going to be a selective event. Some will be given to God to be before His throne forever. Some will end up in the second death, to be banished from God’s grace forever. And like the people in the city of Jerusalem, none of us should presume which group we are in.
We look at the situation from one side of the fence.
• You may have been baptised in the church – but your baptism doesn’t save you.
• You may be one of the foundational members – but that doesn’t save you either.
• You could be a longstanding member – but that’s not what saves.
• You could be one of our key workers – it doesn’t make you any more saved.
And let’s look from the other side of the fence.
• You may feel you have nothing to offer God – that won’t stop you from being saved.
• You may be having doubts and questions – they can’t stop you from being saved.
• You may be carrying guilt, shame, hurt, hidden secrets, regrets – they’re not stoppages.
Salvation is totally and solely linked to the cross. If we come on the basis of our own merits we are being presumptuous. If we disqualify ourselves on the basis of something we have done we are being presumptuous. But if we come trusting in the grace of God then we will never be presumptuous.
That is the challenge ... but there is also much comfort. You see, at the end of the day, the holy people are just like us.
They had their struggles and difficulties.
They had times when they wondered what God was doing and how He was working.
They had their days when they were overwhelmed by their own sinfulness and the need for God’s grace.
They had times when they knew they had let God down.
But the difference between them and others was that they had the faith to know that God would never let them down.
Death could not hold Him down.
Death will not hold us down.
This is not a movie, this is grace in action. The Victory of Christ guarantees it.
Prayer
