Scripture

Then Jesus shouted out again and he released his spirit. At that moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.

Observation

At noon, darkness falls across the land for three hours. Jesus calls out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Then Jesus shouts again and releases his spirit. The curtain in the Temple is torn in two, the earth shakes and tombs of godly people are opened, their bodies resurrected,

Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body. Pilate orders the body to be released to him, and he lays it in his own tomb.

Remembering Jesus’ promises that He would be raised on the third day, the leading priests and Pharisees ask Pilate to seal the tomb. This would prevent the disciples stealing the body and claiming that Jesus has risen.

Application

Jesus willingly lays down his life to defeat satan, death and sin. As he does this many miraculous signs occur.

Firstly, the sun goes dark for the three hours prior to his death. This was not an eclipse, as they last only minutes. This was a prophetic sign of the end of Israel and all earthly powers.

Secondly, the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. This curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, previously, separated all people, except the High Priest, from the presence of God. Jesus’ death removes the separation and ends the Jewish priesthood with all of its rituals and sacrifices; they are no longer needed.

Thirdly, there are physical signs in the earth – earthquakes, rocks are split and tombs opened This is the beginning of the new creation, even the earth is being set free from the effects of the Fall.

Fourth, godly men and women in Jerusalem are raised from the dead. Jesus has conquered the power of death. The resurrection of the old saints prefigures Christ’s own resurrection and the general resurrection of all believers on the last day.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for the earth-shattering, universe-resetting,mankind-redeeming effects of your sacrifice on the cross. Amen.