LHM Daily Devotions - A DEATH THAT GAVE LIFE

"A DEATH THAT GAVE LIFE"

Apr. 13, 2019

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.

~ Matthew 27:52-53 (ESV)

What a shock it must have been. Imagine a family in Jerusalem, busy at home a couple of days after Jesus' death, when a knock comes at the door. They open it, only to find—"Grandpa Samuel! What are you doing here?" There he is, alive, well and smiling—but everyone knows he died five years ago.

Similar things were happening across the city as people got unexpected visits from Aunt Hannah, Cousin Dan, and others—all of them people who should have been dead, who had been dead, but not anymore. It must have been scary and incredibly joyful, all at once.

Why were they there? Eventually, someone figured it out. At the moment of Jesus' death, a great earthquake hit, and many tombs were opened. At that time many people who had died trusting in the Lord came back to life again, and they eventually made their way into the city—where they no doubt surprised a great many people, and caused a joyful rearrangement of their lives and homes.

What a gift the Lord gave them, through His suffering and death. What a gift the Lord has given us! We know absolutely that when Jesus died on the cross, He broke the power of death over us and all people; and when He rose from the dead, He made His own everlasting life available to all of us, to anyone who trusts in Him, our life-giving Savior.

No wonder God the Father marked Jesus' death with such a gift of life!

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for giving life to all of us who trust in Your Son Jesus. Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What would you do if you saw a deceased relative alive at your front door? How would it change your life?

• We are told that they didn't come into the city until after Jesus' resurrection. Why do you think they waited so long?

• How do you think experiencing an event like this would change your attitude toward death—or would it?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What would you do if you saw a deceased relative alive at your front door? How would it change your life?