Earthquakes: Matthew 27-28
Seen
I love the Biblical character, Mary of Magdala. I get her. I too have a friend who helped me see that I am worthy of love, friendship, and trust. She didn’t know me at all, but she was willing to take a chance on me. She “rocked my world” that November morning. Jesus “rocked” Mary of Magdala’s world. He saw her and “called her by name.” (Isaiah 43:1-5)
2 Earthquakes
Mary of Magdala was present at two literal earthquakes because she loved Jesus so much. She “felt the earth move under her feet.” Why was she at the epicenter of these two literal earth-shaking moments? What is the spiritual lesson we need to grab and never let go of in our day?
Seismos
The Greek word for earthquake is seismos. It can mean volcanic eruption which is a literal spewing of rock, ash, lava flows, and ground-shaking commotion. I have a question: What has “rocked your world?” Mary witnessed something amazing from all this earth-quaking activity. These two earthquakes were only three days apart. Both times something unheard of happened: The dead rose up out of their graves! Alive. Read it for yourself!
Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His Spirit. And behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Matthew 28:1-2, 5-6 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it…..But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”
https://youtu.be/0gGa1w_bnvM
Earth Shaking
Graves were opened and the dead walked out and were seen and heard! Mary was standing on very holy ground each time the earth shook. Both times her grief clouded her vision of the miraculous taking place. Each time the ground shook there was a purpose and gave cause for rejoicing. However, fear, sadness, and weeping blocked sight of the miraculous work of God taking place. It was not fully understood until much later. It was in looking back she saw God’s mighty hand at work.
Purpose
What was the purpose of all this quaking commotion? It is found right here within the story if we can dry our eyes and look for the God story unfolding.
The angel delivered some instructions to these two Marys. Did you know the meaning of the name Mary is “beloved?” Two beloved women were given the message of Jesus’ resurrection! The instruction was simply to “go tell His disciples quickly!” (Matt 28:6-7) This instruction was repeated by Jesus to His disciples, “do not be afraid, go tell my brothers (other followers). (Matt 28:10) And finally, Jesus instructed them to go tell the whole world. (Matt 28: 19-20) The purpose of the shaking was to provide a resurrection witness! The dead come to life when Jesus is involved! They live in every sense of the word.
Earthquakes in our lives
The commotion within our own lives has a purpose. You too are on holy ground. It is to open our spiritual eyes to see what God is resurrecting in our personal stories. I don’t know about you but I hate upheaval and rock-spewing calamity!!! I will avoid the fallout at all costs! But, the message of Jesus is this: HE IS ALIVE! He wants to move me out of the shadows and into my corner of the world to share a message..
The shy, young teen who was befriended by an outgoing, fun-loving, people magnet was forever changed in the quaking of a move and the disruption of life as I knew it. Now, some many years later, I tell others how she forever changed who I am. I now reach out to others. I do my best to see in others what she saw in me. Potential! “You got potential!”
Stand and See
Mary of Magdala, like me, was changed by the love of Jesus. This love put her at the epicenter of His mission. Her ringside seat became her platform. All the chaos of the earthquakes in her life shook not only one small area but the world. Our earthquakes will do the same thing if we will stop running from them and stand and face them though our heart is broken, fearful, and confused.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20
Today, we may face an earthquake. Look for the angels, for the move of God, for Jesus in the commotion. Disruption moves us from who we are to who He wants us to be. Mary was seeking Jesus when the earthquake brought the news: He is risen!
Don’t fear the earthquakes of your life. God is doing something very special.
Yvonne Jones
