45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,c lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).d
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
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 ande went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,fand the mother of Zebedee’s sons. (Matthew 27:45-56)
Thoughts: The way Jesus died was both sad, awful and amazing. None of these witnesses were exhaustive in their coverage, but the only words Matthew has Jesus saying was the quote from Psalm 22- "My God, my God why have you forsaken me." It was the cry of the lamb being sacrificed for the sins of the people. Jesus cried out again in a loud voice. This is probably the "It is finished" cry recorded by John (19:30).
But Matthew, more than others speaks of immediate positive things that happened when Christ died.
1) The curtain was torn in two. This was a symbol that God was being let loose on the world. The Temple had concentric circles of intimacy built in. There was a court of the Gentiles, then a court of the women, then a court of the men, then the court where the priests could enter, then the Holy of Holies where the high priest only went once a year. When the curtain was torn in twain, when Jesus died, the opening up of access of God was symbolized. Indeed the message of Christianity is for all people- Jew, Greek, slave, free, men and women.
2) The earth shook and the tombs opened- some of the godly were raised. Scientists can go back and look at seismological history and tell there were several earthquake events on the Mt. of Olives when Jesus died on that Passover 14 Nisan (April 3rd) 33 AD. The tombs not only broke open in the earthquake, but several godly people who had died were raised to life and went throughout Jerusalem. It wasn't too long after this that several thousand were converted to Christ in Jerusalem all at once. Perhaps having uncle Joe, that you knew was dead for several months, all of a sudden come back might make you wander what happened. The theological point is that the death of Christ brings life.
3) The executors said, "Surely this was the Son of God." John Wayne played the centurion in "The Greatest Story Ever Told." But it wasn't just the centurion- all the guard said it. The Romans were usually superstitious and were probably in awe at the bravery and few words of Christ. He was not complaining or whining but facing mockery bravery. Add to that the earthquake, darkness at mid day, and tombs breaking open and they could tell this was no ordinary man dying an ordinary death. Our call as well is to look at the death of Christ and say, 'Surely this was the Son of God."
But Matthew, more than others speaks of immediate positive things that happened when Christ died.
1) The curtain was torn in two. This was a symbol that God was being let loose on the world. The Temple had concentric circles of intimacy built in. There was a court of the Gentiles, then a court of the women, then a court of the men, then the court where the priests could enter, then the Holy of Holies where the high priest only went once a year. When the curtain was torn in twain, when Jesus died, the opening up of access of God was symbolized. Indeed the message of Christianity is for all people- Jew, Greek, slave, free, men and women.
2) The earth shook and the tombs opened- some of the godly were raised. Scientists can go back and look at seismological history and tell there were several earthquake events on the Mt. of Olives when Jesus died on that Passover 14 Nisan (April 3rd) 33 AD. The tombs not only broke open in the earthquake, but several godly people who had died were raised to life and went throughout Jerusalem. It wasn't too long after this that several thousand were converted to Christ in Jerusalem all at once. Perhaps having uncle Joe, that you knew was dead for several months, all of a sudden come back might make you wander what happened. The theological point is that the death of Christ brings life.
3) The executors said, "Surely this was the Son of God." John Wayne played the centurion in "The Greatest Story Ever Told." But it wasn't just the centurion- all the guard said it. The Romans were usually superstitious and were probably in awe at the bravery and few words of Christ. He was not complaining or whining but facing mockery bravery. Add to that the earthquake, darkness at mid day, and tombs breaking open and they could tell this was no ordinary man dying an ordinary death. Our call as well is to look at the death of Christ and say, 'Surely this was the Son of God."
Prayer: Lord, your death is inspiring. Yet it is horrible. Let me appreciate your love shown in your death and even in how you died.
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