“Surely he was the Son of God!”

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 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.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
(Matthew 27:50-54 (NIV))

We are all familiar with the crucifixion account. We know that there were earthquakes. We know that the curtain of the temple was torn in two. We know that the centurion came to believe that Jesus was and is the Son of God. There is one thing in the account of the crucifixion that many overlook.

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 27:52-53 (NIV))

Why do we overlook this? Why do we ignore one of the greatest resurrection accounts of what God has done? I know that our focus is on the death and resurrection of Jesus, but I find it extremely interesting that at the moment of His death, people arose out of their tombs.

Who were these people? Even before Jesus came into the world, people where longing for His coming. They believed even before Jesus physically walked the earth. They were looking at salvation through eyes that longed to see it. We look at salvation through eyes that have read it as it actually happened.

Why did they arise at Jesus’ death? That is an interesting question and I am probably going to open up some debate, but I believe that it is simply a matter of timing. Humanity has been given grace and mercy through the atoning blood of Jesus. Jesus had to die in order for our salvation to be redeemed. Those people who believed in Jesus before He walked the earth had to wait until He had fulfilled the plan of salvation. Once He breathed His last, the debt had been paid.

If we truly perceived the events that happened during the crucifixion, we would undoubtedly come to the same conclusion that the centurion came to. The sky grew dark, the earth shook, the rocks split, the holy people were raised from the dead and the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

I honestly don’t think that any script writer could come up with something as awe inspiring as what actually happened.

There is a saying that truth is stranger than fiction. There is also a famous line from a movie that states, “You can’t handle the truth!” I also find it interesting that people base their perception of the truth upon their limited understanding. They refuse to believe until they see. I have never seen a millions dollars, but I know that it exists. Perhaps that is the limit to the faith of some people. They can believe things that they have never seen only if they are of a physical nature.

I know that people believe when they see miracles. I also know that we are told that we need to have faith without seeing miracles. Still, it is my desire to see people who are not believers come to the same saving knowledge as the centurion.

“Surely he was the Son of God!”

Copyright 1998 – 2013 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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I pray that we can lift our veil!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NIV))

What is your hope?

Does a veil cover your heart?

With the 4th of July just a day away, I want to ask a serious question. Do you feel that there is a veil over our country? In other words, is there a veil over the hearts of the people?

I am hopeful, for I was privileged to see something over the last few days that has given me hope even in the midst of all of the issues that our country faces.

I took my daughter up to Washington, D.C. for a two week intensive American Sign Language course at Galaudette University. I have a cousin who lives in D.C. that I have not seen in a while. He lives not too far from Galaudette University. I visited with him and saw a side of D.C. that the media does not present. I did not see all communities, but the ones that I did see are all a good example of the melting pot. I discovered that the actual residential areas of the city are basically little communities with a small “downtown” area of restaurants and shops. Everybody walks from their homes to these areas and it appears that, even though there is noise and a lot of activity, it is safe to be out in the “neighborhoods” at any time.

Two days before I arrived in D.C., there was a bad storm and many areas where without power. I found many of the radio stations, Christian and secular, offering information on how to find help in the middle of the high temperatures and power outages. I did a lot of driving and many of the stop lights were out. Everyone was very polite and did not try to take advantage of the power problems. Many churches that had power opened up their doors to those who did not.

This is the power of the USA. It is not the political issues or the government, but it is the people. Even in the midst of the political issues going on in their backyard, and the difficulties from the storm, the faith of the people in each other was impressive, despite political opinions.

I know that many have their hearts covered by a veil, yet, I see the work of the Holy Spirit also. There is a strong presence of the Holy Spirit in D.C. I heard it manifested through the large number of calls asking people to pray for and / or help those in need.

As I drove home, I looked upon my drive with a different outlook. I do not know what God has in store for this country, but I do now know that faith is strong. I do know that we, as the Body of Christ, need to be united in this faith and fully rely on the fact that it is not our leaders, but God who is in control. If we can regain this knowledge, then God can still use this country to His greater glory.

I pray that we can lift our veil!

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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