There is a joke about cemeteries being popular places, because people are just dying to get in there. However, spending time at the cemetery has never made the list of the top ten leisure activities. But in the state of Utah, in Salt Lake City, there is a grave that attracts many visitors. It is Matthew Robinson's grave, who died in February 1999 at the age of ten and a half years.

According to the doctors who were in attendance at his birth, Matthew was only supposed to live a few hours, due to complications like a lack of oxygen that arose when he was born. An excerpt from Matthew's obituary tells us:

"Fortitude, strength, and endurance, combined with the power of God allowed Matthew to live ten and one-half years enveloped in the love of his family and friends. His family was privileged to spend time with him here upon earth, to learn from his courage and marvel at his constant joy and happiness in the face of struggle. His presence inspired all those who knew him. He opened their hearts as well as their eyes."

Matthew spent his short life in a wheelchair. He was largely paralyzed, blind and could only speak a few words. But when he died, his family viewed his death as a liberation for him. Matthew's parents believe in a resurrection and in a liberation from disabilities via the resurrection. That's why Matthew's father decided to make his grave an expression of that hope.

The sculpture of Matthew being resurrected, freed from his wheelchair, has indeed become a source of hope at the cemetery, especially for the parents of other handicapped children. The cemetery director said that he visits Matthew's grave often.

The prophet Isaiah was inspired to describe a wonderful image of the future that God has planned: "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come . . . he will come to save you . . . Then will the lame leap like a deer" (Isaiah 35:4, 6).

The majority of those who will experience this healing will leave again at the great white throne judgment. Freed from their disability, they will leap like a deer – and praise God, who will reveal His plan to them. Among them will be Matthew Robinson.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!