“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”

(Matthew 27:51-52)

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I love these verses. They help me to see that so much was going on when Jesus died. The barrier between a holy God and sinful people was destroyed as evidenced by the curtain being torn. The whole physical realm danced as it gave praise to God that the debt of sin had been paid for and the curse had been lifted. Death itself was forced to give up the bodies it had taken as Jesus obliterated its power.

In these verses we see a tiny picture of life as it was meant to be before sin entered our world: intimate friendship with God, the universe united in praise of Him, no death or pain or suffering. At the moment Jesus died, God opened up a window to help us see what Jesus’ death started and what God will achieve when He makes everything new.

I need these verses. They remind me that even at Jesus’ weakest moment – His death – He was infinitely more majestic than anything else in the universe. Curtains, rituals, rocks, natural forces, dead bodies and unseen spirits all had to bow to Him and fall under the power of what He had achieved. And that power has not left Him. In fact, He is in the business of using that power to build His kingdom in 2021.

So when I see broken systems, struggling students, confused teachers, and recognize my complete inability to make a great difference, I can rest in His power. He will achieve all that He wants to achieve, for His power is unstoppable.

My role – and my privilege – is to be used as His tool, the conduit through which His power will be displayed and His name glorified. Let’s pray that He would enable all of us to grasp this reality more and more.

Kiera – MSI Field Worker