Events Surrounding the Crucifixion
Around the Cross
“The unique feature of the Christian proclamation is the shocking
claim that God is fully acting, not only in Jesus’ resurrected life,
but especially in Jesus’ death on the cross. To say the same thing
another way, the death of Jesus in and of itself would not be
anything remarkable. What is remarkable is that the Creator of the
universe is shown forth in this gruesome death.”
Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ
Four Divine Signs That Accompany Jesus’ Death
- The temple veil being torn in two (Matt. 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45)
- Earthquakes and darkness (Matt. 27:45, 51, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44-45)
- The centurion’s confession (Matt. 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47)
- Tombs opened and saints raised (Matt. 27:52)
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”…And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split…The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:45-54
1. The Father’s Just Response:
The Veil Torn In Two
What Was the Temple Veil?
- Massive (60 ft tall) woven curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place)
- Thickly woven from blue, purple, and scarlet with embroidered cherubim
- Only the high priest could enter once per year on the Day of Atonement
- Represented the barrier between sinful humanity and God’s holy presence
What Does the Torn Veil Mean?
- Direct access to God is now on offer through Christ
- The old temple system has been fulfilled and ended
- God’s presence is no longer tied to a building
- We can come boldly to the throne of grace because Jesus the high priest has
entered into the presence of God (heaven) with his own blood as atonement for
us (the sacrifice of Himself. Heb. 9:24-26)
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy
places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He
opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and
since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Hebrews 10:19-20
“Jesus was the temple to end all temples, the priest to end all
priests, and the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.”
Tim Keller
“The torn curtain reveals that all believers have fresh, unparalleled
access to God… Jesus himself is the new temple — the new Most
Holy Place — with no curtain barring us from intimacy with Him.”
Greg Lanier
2. Creation’s Groaning Response:
Darkness & Earthquake
Darkness at Midday
- From noon to 3:00pm, darkness covered the land
- Luke tells us “the sun’s light failed.”
- Echoes of the OT “Day of the Lord” judgement (Amos 8, Joel 2, Isa. 5:30, 8:22)
- Cosmic sign of an eschatological event
The Earth Shook
- The earth shook, and the rocks were split
- Creation responds to its Creator
- Echoes of Mt. Sinai when God descended to give the law
- Birth pangs of the coming new creation breaking through 15
3. The World’s First Response:
The Centurion’s Confession
What the Centurion Saw
- Matthew: “…the earthquake and what had taken place…”
- Mark “…in this way He breathed His last…”
- Luke: The darkness, Jesus’s final words, and last breath
The Centurion’s Confession
- “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew and Mark)
- “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Luke)
- They were “filled with awe.” (Matthew and Mark)
- The centurion “praised God.” (Luke)
- A pagan executioner witnesses the divinity of Jesus and responds in awe
- A gentile confesses what the religious leaders had denied.
- Foreshadowing and firstfruits of the worldwide mission of Jesus Christ
4. Death’s Involuntary Response:
Tombs Opened & Saints Raised
The Opened Tombs
- Only recorded in Matthew’s gospel
- The tombs were opened upon Jesus’ death
- Many bodies of the saints were raised
- After the resurrection of Jesus, they entered Jerusalem and appeared to many
- This was a temporary resurrection of these saints
Jesus as “Firstfruits” of the Resurrection
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
- Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection
- The raised saints in Matthew are a taste of the full harvest to come
- In response to the finished work of Jesus, death begins to be reversed
- Death is still a reality, but the resurrection has put it on notice!
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:16-23
Jesus as “Firstfruits” of the Resurrection
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
- Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection
- The raised saints in Matthew are a taste of the full harvest to come
- In response to the finished work of Jesus, death begins to be reversed
- Death is still a reality, but the resurrection has put it on notice!
Heaven’s Commentary on the Cross
- Torn veil – Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God has allowed us full access
- Darkness & Earthquake – God’s judgment of sin has fallen on His son
- Centurion’s confession – The nations are being drawn to the crucified King
- Raised saints – death is on notice, and a resurrection harvest is coming
What is Our Response?
- Come to God boldly with assurance of faith
- Live in resurrection hope because of Jesus
- Worship in awe and wonder
