14 Apr HE IS RISEN…HE IS RISEN INDEED!
We have just celebrated one of the most important events in all of history – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday for many is all about bunnies, egg hunts, and candy…lots of candy!
But for believers, the significance of this day is the very bedrock of our faith. As I pondered the events of Good Friday this year, I was struck by the response of nature to Jesus’ death on the Cross, and His subsequent resurrection. Matthew tells us that as Jesus hung on the Cross from the 6th to the 9th hour, “there was darkness over all the land” (Matt 27:45). The Greek word translated “land” is ges and it has the connotation of the entire earth – not just the land around Jerusalem. That means that the entire earth was simultaneously engulfed in darkness. Ancient historians refer to the darkness that covered the earth at the time of the crucifixion.
Similarly, when Matthew records that “the earth quaked” (Matt 27:51), the same Greek word is used for “earth,” indicating that it was a worldwide earthquake. There was another earthquake 3 days later when He rose from the dead. Only this time, Matthew tells us it was a “great (Greek – mega) earthquake,” so impacting that huge boulders were torn apart. What was happening here?
Just as creation shook when its Creator died on the Cross, so it shook again in response to His resurrection! A cataclysmic, worldwide event occurred that forever repositioned us from Old Covenant to New Covenant…from law to grace. The natural realm corroborating the shift taking place in the spiritual realm. There’s a great song Sandi Patty recorded many years ago called Was It a Morning Like This? I love the chorus because it gives us a glimpse of the unseen reaction to the resurrection:
Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel you again?
Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound
He is risen!
Over and over in a never-ending round
He is risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
So, my question is: How are we, the highest of His creation, responding to our Creator’s death and resurrection? In the days that have followed Easter Sunday, I’ve found myself slipping back into the everydayness of life, with the wonder and power of the resurrection slipping from the forefront of my thoughts as well. I want to purpose to walk in the resurrection life and power that Jesus died to give me. I want to live in greater awareness of His perpetual presence, His unrelenting grace, and His unlimited love…the love that sent Him to the Cross. Maybe I need to listen to Sandi Patty’s song more than once a year!
How about you? How will you respond?
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