In our neighboring country of Mexico to our south, there have been three earthquakes in the last month, which is certainly not a good thing. The greatest earthquake ever was in 1960 in Chile, South America, measuring about 9.4. The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was the most destructive in North America, killing nearly 700 people and leaving the city in ruins.  The 1964 earthquake in Alaska was of greater magnitude, and was felt over an area of 500,000 square miles. 
But there was actually a good earthquake that took place, and it took place in the days of Jesus. In fact, it took place when Jesus was hanging on the Cross.  Matthew 27:51 tells us that when Jesus breathed His last breath, several unusual events occurred. The veil of the Temple was split in half from top to bottom, there was an earthquake, rocks split apart, graves were opened, and the bodies of God’s followers arose from the dead and went into the city of Jerusalem and appeared to many people. When the centurion, a commander of the Roman army, and the other soldiers saw the earthquake and the other things that happened, they were extremely fearful, and they responded by saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
The veil in the Temple separated the main sanctuary from what was called the Holy of Holies, which represented the presence of God, where only the high priest was allowed to enter. The splitting of the veil signified that entrance into the presence of God was no longer restricted to the high priest alone, but now everyone had direct and equal access to God. This is good news, because all of us can now communicate directly and personally with the Almighty God of the universe.
 The shaking of the earth caused the soldiers to be fearful, but it opened the graves of the saints of God, and delivered them from the power of the grave. The saints of God went into the city of Jerusalem and reunited with those that they had previously left behind when they were committed to the grave.
This dramatic event is a reminder that one day all of God’s saints will rise up out the grave and join Jesus, when He comes back in the clouds to gather up His faithful followers. They will not go to the city of Jerusalem, but instead they will go to the City of God, and forever remain there in His presence. The Bible calls it the New Jerusalem, and it will be the new home of the saints.
Just like this earthquake turned out to be a good thing, many other things that happen to us during our lifetime may often appear to be bad, but they can turn out to be what we sometimes call “a blessing in disguise.”  When we allow God to be in control, “all things work together for good,” as we are told in Romans 8:28.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.