Christ did not die quietly.

During our sermon today, we were looking at the numerous supernatural effects of Christ’s death on the cross in Matthew 27. Chief among them, to me, is the fact that dead saints rose from the grave to testify to the power of His death in raising the dead:

“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.” (Matt 27:50-53)

I think that this is one of the most overlooked facts in all of the Bible. What shape were the dead in? Where did they go? I’m not sure about that, but of all the other things surrounding His crucifixion and death like darkness at midday and the earthquake, this one must have freaked people out the most.

More than that, it was a testimony to the world that Christ’s death would be followed by resurrection and the He would rise in three days as the first fruits from the dead (1 Cor 15:20). This day in world history, in this region was a real shocker. We see from the response of Jesus’ executing superintendent, the Roman Centurion, the conclusion that Jesus was the Son of God was both intended and undeniable (Matt 27:54).

Jesus did not die quietly.

We are tempted to remember the death of Jesus as a protracted period of silence marked by shame and cowardice on the part of His disciples. We are tempted to think of Jesus enemies toasting their success, and those who loved Him walking around with their heads down, dejected and unsure of the future. Rather, the activity of those sleeping in Him was a testimony of victory.

When we read of Christ’s most noisy victory, we need to understand how personal it is; our own futures are sealed in His death and resurrection. Indeed, the future of all creation and eternity is sealed as well:

“But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. ” (1 Cor 15:23-2

There’s something worth getting excited about! Go out and make some noise of your own!