We continue from yesterday’s meditation on the seven last sayings of Jesus and the events of His crucifixion, bearing the sins of all mankind. When Jesus died, the first supernatural event that took place was the darkness that came over all the land from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour, 3 pm (Matthew 27:45). Passover always occurred on a full moon, so a solar eclipse did not cause the darkness. Even if it could, an eclipse cannot last for three hours. This darkening of the sun was a sign of judgment and divine displeasure at what took place at the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus bore God's wrath on sin during those three crucial hours. That was why Jesus said, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me," for God cannot look on sin (Habakkuk 1:13), and Jesus took upon Himself the just penalty for the sin of all who receive His pardon. Some commentators believe the darkening of the sun was sent to cover the nakedness and sufferings of Christ.
The second supernatural occurrence was that of a great earthquake, with the tombs opening and dead people coming to life. I can’t wait to hear from those who emerged from their tombs to share what it was like to see the faces of Christ’s enemies at the location. Here’s what Matthew wrote:
51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people (Matthew 27:51-53).
The third supernatural event took place in the temple. At the same time that Christ died, the temple curtain separating God from man was torn in two from the top of the curtain to the bottom, a sign from heaven to show that a way has been made into God's presence. No wonder many priests came to faith in Christ (Acts 6:7). When the priests found out what had happened at Calvary at 3 pm, the traditional time for the congregational slaying of the lambs for Passover, and witnessed the temple curtain being torn, many believed and placed their faith in Christ.
While thousands were in the temple courts for the ritual slaying of the Passover lambs, those ministering in the temple came out shocked when invisible hands tore the temple curtain, a cloth that was four inches thick, right before their eyes. God tore the curtain to show you and me that the way into the very presence of God was open for all who would receive Christ's death as their substitute for the penalty of their sin. Jesus removed the barrier that separated God from man. Sin keeps us from enjoying a relationship with God, and Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. "Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how far God will go for man's salvation" (H. C. Trumbull).
The Gospel is the good news of a Living Savior who died in your place so that you and I can know God. He took the punishment we deserved and nailed it to the cross. If we repent (change our minds and direction in life) and believe (yield our lives and trust Christ and His saving work) in the Gospel, then we will be saved (enjoy all the blessings of the covenant, including eternal life). Will you trust Him? Here’s a prayer you can express to God:
Prayer: Father, just as the thief on the cross expressed his heart's desire to walk in the newness of life with the words, "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom," I also ask You to please forgive me my sin. I turn around today and yield my life to You. I choose to trust You with my eternal well-being. Because I put my trust in You, receive me into Your kingdom. Amen. Keith Thomas.
The YouTube video of this talk with closed captions (subtitles) in 65 languages is found at the following link: https://youtu.be/98EY8UNmpmk
The written notes are at the following link: The Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross