Jesus
is dead. His body is still on the
cross. It did not come down immediately
as it took time for Joseph of Arimathea to get permission to take the body. But there are some things that happened after
the death of Christ.
·
The veil of the temple was torn from top to
bottom. This could only have been known
from the priests, perhaps from the many who became believers later (Acts 6:7)
or perhaps the news leaked out.
·
There was an earthquake that was strong enough
to split rocks.
·
The graves of saints were opened and people came
to life. Matthew indicates this happened
after the resurrection. The earthquake
and raising of various people were likely signs from God drawing attention to these
important events. The souls of OT
saints, upon death, went to Hades, to what Jesus called Abraham’s Bosom (Lk. 16:22) or Paradise
(Lk. 23:43). But when their sins were
forgiven by His blood they were transferred into the presence of God (Eph. 4:8)
so that the only ones left in Hades now are the wicked (Rev. 20:14). What Matthew describes may have been a sign
of that transition.
·
Jesus side was pierced with a spear. John assures us that he actually saw this
happen, that blood and water came
from Jesus’ side. Why is he so adamant
about this? First John is attesting to
the fact that Jesus was truly dead; that is that the blood and water
indicate. Furthermore, John calls to
attention two prophecies of the Messiah that were fulfilled in this event. Unlike the two thieves, who were not yet
dead, and whose legs were broken so they could no longer push up to breath,
Jesus’ legs were not broken (prophesied in Ps. 34:20) but instead He was
pierced (prophesied in Zech. 12:10; 13:6).
·
People at the cross responded indicative of the
power of the moment.
o First,
there was the centurion. He knew the
claims of Jesus and had been part of ridiculing Him for them. But the timing and power of the earthquake
(after the hours of darkness and hearing Jesus words from the cross) concluded
Jesus to be a righteous Man, the Son of God.
o Then
the crowd, seeing what had been done,
beat their breasts and returned to the city. It tells us the events were powerful. But the actions consistent with grief
indicate they realized they had been part of something wrong, something that in
the least did not set right. This grief
would, for many, be turned later to repentant faith (Acts 2:37).
o Those
who had been with Jesus, His
acquaintances and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance,
watching. We would suppose it is not
the quietness of assurance; it is the quietness of sadness, of not knowing what
to say or do.
Everything we have
described here is for a purpose. The
writers are giving us details so we can understand this really happened. We need to know this because the real purpose
is, as John says, so that you may believe. Without
faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). There is salvation in no other name, (Ac.
4:12), no other One but Jesus who endured the cross for you. Oh how I plead with you, whoever you are: be
reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
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