Thinking About ... the Opened Graves

            At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. 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 27:51-53

            When Jesus died, tombs were ripped open in an earthquake, and the dead came to life. All we know is they were holy people. How long had they been dead? If they were recently deceased, family and friends would still be living. Imagine opening the door and finding Grandma, who died five years ago, smiling at you.

            The dead were wrapped in burial cloths with spices and perfume. What did the newly raised dead wear when they went into Jerusalem and appeared to many people?

            How long did they remain alive? If they’d been dead for several years, or had lived in an earlier time, they would no longer have a home to return to or a means of support.

            Many dead people coming to life and wandering around Jerusalem had to be front page news. What did the chief priests and Pharisees think of this? Did they want to kill the resurrected as they did Lazarus?

            Why did Matthew included this tantalizing tidbit, and give no follow-up?