Ninure Saunders
2006-08-11 03:18:48 UTC
(~) The earth shook
Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.
The earth shook
"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 Christ's resurrection they went into the
holy city and appeared to many." Matthew 27:51-53
The earth shook while many other strange and frightening things began to
happen the moment Christ died. The curtain of the Jewish temple in
Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom. Rocks shattered. Certain graves
actually released their dead, and many corpses of known holy people were
raised to life. They came out of their tombs. How terrifying this all must
have been. The sun had disappeared and all was dark. Where was God in this
dark moment in world history? I imagine many people huddled in fear and
wonder.
We are told that the raised dead actually appeared to many in Jerusalem
after Christ was resurrected. Even in the moment of Christ's death, death
was conquered. The power of the grave was shattered forever as faithful
and holy people were miraculously raised from the dead, testifying to
God's great grace and power. There were many empty tombs the moment Christ
died.
What does this mean for us? We can personally claim the Christian hope
that we too can experience resurrection through Jesus Christ, God's
crucified and beloved Child. Jesus himself experienced death for us and
understands our human frailties and fears. We can take courage at the
moment of our death and experience spiritual comfort when loved ones die.
Death has been conquered forever.
Someday the dead in Christ will be raised again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Oh death, where is your victory? Where is your sting? (See 1 Corinthians
15:54-56.) Christ has conquered the grave even in death. Death cannot hold
him. Death is not the end. We have hope beyond the grave (1 Corinthians
15).
Beloved Christ, you have tasted death for me and offer all of us
resurrection hope. Help us encourage each other with these words. Amen.
from "Living as the Beloved" published by Chi Rho Press
Used with permisson
Please visit the Chi Rho Press Web site. http://www.ChiRhoPress.com
=================================================================
--
Pax Christi,
Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian
Jesus is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
http://Ninure-Saunders.tk
My Blog
http://Ninure.tk
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.MCCchurch.org
The Bible Site - help provide free scripture
http://www.thebiblesite.org
To send e-mail, remove your hat
Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.
The earth shook
"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 Christ's resurrection they went into the
holy city and appeared to many." Matthew 27:51-53
The earth shook while many other strange and frightening things began to
happen the moment Christ died. The curtain of the Jewish temple in
Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom. Rocks shattered. Certain graves
actually released their dead, and many corpses of known holy people were
raised to life. They came out of their tombs. How terrifying this all must
have been. The sun had disappeared and all was dark. Where was God in this
dark moment in world history? I imagine many people huddled in fear and
wonder.
We are told that the raised dead actually appeared to many in Jerusalem
after Christ was resurrected. Even in the moment of Christ's death, death
was conquered. The power of the grave was shattered forever as faithful
and holy people were miraculously raised from the dead, testifying to
God's great grace and power. There were many empty tombs the moment Christ
died.
What does this mean for us? We can personally claim the Christian hope
that we too can experience resurrection through Jesus Christ, God's
crucified and beloved Child. Jesus himself experienced death for us and
understands our human frailties and fears. We can take courage at the
moment of our death and experience spiritual comfort when loved ones die.
Death has been conquered forever.
Someday the dead in Christ will be raised again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Oh death, where is your victory? Where is your sting? (See 1 Corinthians
15:54-56.) Christ has conquered the grave even in death. Death cannot hold
him. Death is not the end. We have hope beyond the grave (1 Corinthians
15).
Beloved Christ, you have tasted death for me and offer all of us
resurrection hope. Help us encourage each other with these words. Amen.
from "Living as the Beloved" published by Chi Rho Press
Used with permisson
Please visit the Chi Rho Press Web site. http://www.ChiRhoPress.com
=================================================================
--
Pax Christi,
Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian
Jesus is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
http://Ninure-Saunders.tk
My Blog
http://Ninure.tk
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.MCCchurch.org
The Bible Site - help provide free scripture
http://www.thebiblesite.org
To send e-mail, remove your hat