Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Matthew 28:2-4 (NKJV) 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
THE TERROR OF EASTER
After the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the Heavenly Father uncovered the truth of what had taken place, by sending a member of the Heavenly Army to roll away the stone from the door of the tomb. He wasn't letting Jesus out, the Savior was already gone, having departed to announce His victory, first to the startled inhabitants of hell (1 Peter 3:18-19) and later to His confused and grieving disciples.
The early morning hours of the day of His resurrection were terrifying for some, in particular the Roman Soldiers who were "guarding" the tomb. They didn't see the risen and glorified Jesus. They saw a mighty soldier from another place, far superior to themselves. He appeared and rolled back the large rock they were guarding and sat on it. They could do nothing to stop him, for the sight of him was sufficient to render them catatonic.
They were afraid when confronted with a holy messenger of God. We would have been afraid too, for we are sinners who deserve to receive judgment from the Holy God. Caiaphas' calloused heart must also have trembled, for all their plans had come to nothing.
How should we react? We need not fear, for the same Jesus who died for our sins, was raised again so that we should be justified, declared not guilty (cf. Romans 4:25). There is no terror for us, but we can't contain our joy, knowing that our enemies, sin, death and Satan have been defeated and rendered null and void.
Oh, where is thy sting, Death? We fear thee no more;
Christ rose, and now is open fair Eden's door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 198:4)
