Matthew 27:51-53 Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52) and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53) and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

They were buried inside the hills, in caves, under the desert sands, in verdant gardens, and desolate mountains. Stones had been rolled, and the tombs sealed until the last day, plans and dreams, loves and fears expired, their earthly lives forfeit, their spirits awaiting eternity.

In the process, the flesh rotted beyond recognition, and stank, and became full of maggots and worms eating the internal organs of the dead, their bodies returning to the soil from which all were first birthed.

They were unclean in every manner, and yet redeemed.

But when the veil was torn, the power of the Father was unleashed with the spilling of the Son’s sinless blood, when he surrendered His own spirit, and finished the atoning work.

Jesus testified to this power before the Sanhedrin: Mark 14:62

62And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

And again to the Sadducees when they questioned him: Matthew 22:29

Jesus replied, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

And as when Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, and as when Jesus called forth Lazarus, the Spirit of the Living God moved, going into the tombs of the faithful who received grace to return them to life, just as in Exodus, the Angel of Death passed over their houses and slew the sons of their enemies.

To honor their king, they waited; we are not told what they did in the meantime, perhaps they prayed and glorified and worshiped the Lord, as the Holy Spirit told them what had occurred, and what they were to do.

Scoffers and unbelievers mock, and say things like “zombie Jesus” to ridicule the faith and rile the believers ire, but if we have faith, we don’t need to defend the Truth.

Jesus says this: John 6:40

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall
have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

If Jesus is doing the Father’s will, and we’re told the Father cannot lie, then neither can Jesus: John 14:9

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

Many believe we are now in the last days; the day fast approaches, but we’re not there.

Be assured, however, that Jesus speaks of a last day.

Graves will be open for the final time, and will exist no longer.

Neither shall the faithful be unclean, nor will we have memory of this world.

No sun, no moon, but the light of the Father our quickening, and our sustenance, for eternity, in His holy presence, praising, rejoicing, working, fellowship, forever and ever.

This is imaginary foolishness, say faithless mockers. Pray for them; they are perishing, and in their pride, have no inkling of their fate.

Hold onto your faith, and pray, and let the Power open the graves of what you once believed lost, or think you are now losing.

Let your faith dig deep, and pull from the graves your marriage, your children, your family, your friends, your own faith, and the faith of believers around the world, suffering for their refusal to renounce the Name of the Lamb of God, and the Judge of all nations.

We know not the hour; therefore watch, and pray.

And believe.

Therefore I pray:

Let not my heart be troubled or afraid, for You, O Lord, have proclaimed the Good News, and have overcome this world. You have taken me under the covenant of Grace, that the wrath of God not abide on me, though I yet walk in this world, in sin, destined to die.

 I believe in Your promise, that if I hold onto my faith, there will be a last day, and an everlasting life connected to the Power behind all things, for You have said, that with Him, all things are possible.

 Increase my faith, Lord Jesus, and help my unbelief. Save me, O Lord, when the waves of doubt would drown me, and bring to mind for me to reach for Your holy hand when I start to sink in the midst of the buffeting.

I ask the Power to renew my strength, to redeem the lost time, to open the grave of the things He called me to that I did not nourish, and let die. Let there be times of refreshing, and renewal.

In Your Holy Name, and by the Power of Your holy blood, I ask, believing I have already received.

Amen.