52and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [simple_tooltip content=’51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earthquake 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.’](Matthew 27:52)[/simple_tooltip]

 

Only Matthew records this amazing event. The earthquake had apparently rolled the stones away from many of the graves in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and some of the saints buried there arose from the dead. Even at the death of Jesus, such power was released that death lost its grip on its captives.

After the resurrection of Jesus, these saints came out of their graves, went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people [simple_tooltip content=’and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.’](v. 53)[/simple_tooltip]. We can only guess what effect this must have had on the people! The resurrection of Jesus puts Christianity in a class all by itself. Many people have come and gone professing some revelation from God or new way of approaching God, but only Jesus conquered death. This makes Him unique and elevates Him above any other man who has ever walked on the earth.

Because Jesus conquered death, the fear and sting of death have been removed for us. First Corinthians 15:55 cries out, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” We all have to say good-bye to loved ones who pass from this life into heaven, and we can grieve for a season; but death has lost its power over us, and our grief passes quickly.

Unbelievers have no hope to see their loved ones again, so they grieve deeply and sometimes never stop grieving. You are different because you have a great hope: the certainty of seeing your loved ones again and being with them and with your Lord for eternity. Whenever you begin to lose hope over a temporary situation, just remember those “dead” saints walking through Jerusalem. It will put your life in perspective and give you a fresh outlook for today.