Matthew 27:51-56 Mark 15:38-41 Luke 23:45-49

Matthew 27:51-56 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 55 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 15:38-41 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Luke 23:45-49 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

The death of Jesus on the Cross was an event marked by remarkable wonders.  It is a wonder that Jesus would become a man and take our place in death.  It is amazing that He would love us so much.  God demonstrates the importance of the cross by performing various miracles surrounding the cross.  These are amazing events that served to demonstrate the significance of the cross and should remind us of how important this day was in history and in our lives.

LIFE CAME FROM THE CROSS: There are two miraculous events that coincide with the death of Christ.  The first was the tearing of the veil in the temple that separated the holy place and limited access to this sacred place that represented the presence of God.  This was a symbolic illustration that through Jesus, access to the Father is now freely given to all who believe.  In the past, only the high priest could go into this place on the day of atonement.  Now, the Father grants access to all through faith in the death of Jesus on the cross.  This was a clear sign from the Father that He accepted the death of Jesus as the permanent sacrifice for sin.  There was no more need to offer animals as a temporary covering for sin.  The Lamb of God had pain once and for all for the sin of man.  Appropriately, the tombs of many were opened and saints came back to life when Jesus died.  We don’t have much information about who these people were and what happened to them.  What we do know, is that the death of Jesus brings life to men.  One day all the dead in Christ will rise to be with Him forever.  This is only possible because of the death of Christ on the cross. 

FAITH WAS BORN AT THE CROSS: The words and actions of Jesus coupled with the miracles that surrounded His death impacted those who were watching.  When darkness covered the land and an earthquake occurred as He died, one of the soldiers declared that Jesus was surely the Son of God.  This recognition was most likely an expression of saving faith on the part of this soldier.  The crowd who had gathered to watch Jesus die was also moved by all these events and walked away beating their breasts.  This was a demonstration of repentance that is very likely to mean that they were in agreement with the centurion’s words and brought many of them to salvation as well.  The life of Jesus convinced many of His disciples about His identity.  The death of Jesus opened the door for salvation for all of us.  Those who watched Him die were moved to faith by the way He died, and the way creation was shaken by the events that transpired on the cross.

LOVE WAS SHOWN AT THE CROSS: The cross was a place surrounded by violence and hatred, but those were not the only emotions surrounding the cross.  The cross was a place accompanied by love.  Scripture mentions that there were many women who had followed and served Jesus and His disciples at the cross.  Most of the men had fled in fear of facing the same fate.  These women had been with Jesus every step of the way and loved Him greatly.  Mary, His mother, was there and many other women, some certainly to support Mary in this excruciating time.  There were also women that Jesus had healed or forgiven as He ministered.  He had a pure love for women, and they loved Him as well.  The society of that day discriminated against women in many ways.  Jesus showed us how we are to love and respect women.  Men tend to objectify women and confuse lust with love.  Jesus shows us how we are called to love the women He places in our lives.

APPLICATION: We have been given access to the Father through the Son.  Rejoice in His provision and go to Him in prayer with a heart that is pure knowing that you have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  Know that because of faith in Jesus, we will rise from the dead and live with Him forever.  Believe that Jesus is the Son of God with those who watched Jesus die.  Love Jesus and know of His love for us.  Enjoy the grace and abundant life we have in Him.