When Jesus Died…
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14:33
Penned Gospels written by men of God were records and divinely influenced. Although we do not have every single reaction, all the details of names and cities, each person listed that saw the miracles; we do have the details God wants us to know, written by the men God ordained to write them. Even a couple thousand years later, we have record bearing that day Jesus died. The Bible. Our God is an amazing God. He never intended us to wander around this earth clueless or confused. In fact, the Bible is very clear, the author of confusion is Satan.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Just as the entire Bible is for us, a precious gift we have the luxury to obtain freely in America, it was clear God wanted us to know what happened that day Christ died. So, here are three amazing things that took place AND are recorded in God’s word on the day Christ Jesus died.
When Jesus Died…
1.Darkness Fell on Earth
When Christ Jesus willingly hung on the cross, darkness fell on the face of the earth. It states in the book of Matthew that there was darkness over the land. Christ at this point was not dead. He was very much alive, and cries out to our Heavenly Father. His cry was reciprocated with mocking and a sponge filled with vinegar on a reed.
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” Matthew 27:45-50
Okay, so darkness fell. Just prior the thief on the cross asked the Lord Jesus to remember Him when he enters into the kingdom. (Luke 23:42) And when Jesus’s reply what that He would be with HIM (Jesus) in paradise that day it states darkness was over the entire earth until the 9th hour. (vs 44) But this darkness was not like the lights went out, it was a darkness that could be felt. There was not partial light, like how some places are mostly dark extra long periods of time certain seasons throughout the year. No, this darkness was total and complete darkness. Verse 45 in Luke states the “sun was darkened,” a phenomenon. A sun that is estimated to
The word reference of darkness (and it’s root/derivatives) appears 142 times in my Bible search program. Yet, there are only a handful of times that the LORD actually is referring to a recorded darkness. Not night with starlight. Not dim light. But a darkness that could be felt. We know one of those times were when Pharoahs’ heart was hardened and darkness was over the land of Egypt. It was recorded as a darkness that could be felt. During this time of complete darkness, (during the plagues) it states they could not see one another. Neither did they go anywhere for three days.
When Christ was being crucified, there was not any light. HE was the light of the world. HE is the light of the world. Complete darkness fell. Darkness preceded death in Exodus. As you recall, the first born sons died if the blood was not on the door posts. (Exodus 11:4-5) In this case, darkness was followed by the death of Jesus Christ.
2.The Veil of the Temple was Rent AND the Earth did quake
“And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” Matthew 27:51
Splitting this verse in half, a significant event occurred when the temple veil was split into two pieces. As individuals brought their burnt offerings and sacrifices to the temple, only the priest could enter into the most holy of holies. The veil that separated the two holy parts of the temple was no longer needed. As a whole, the sacrifices were no longer needed. Jesus’s blood was the last blood He would ever need.
Bible scholars also believe that the veil being rent from top to bottom signifies that God did this work top down AND that it was NOT man’s work. God had now made a way for all to come unto Him through Christ Jesus. That veil was rent.
Second, the other half of the verse states the earthquakes and trembling of the rocks renting. Can you imagine what a sight and sound that would be? Remember how God appeared before Moses was on Mt. Sinai and it shook violently? (Exodus 19:18)
3.Bodies From the Grave Arose
Oddly enough, as this was happening so were things at he graves. Enjoying the eyes of children is priceless when they read in their Bibles graves opened and saints arose. What?! Yeah, read those verses:
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:51-54
How long were they wandering around? Three hours? It states that many saw them and they entered into Jerusalem. Crazy! Right? Where do you think all the cool movie stuff comes from? Someone’s vision of what happened in the Bible perhaps. That’s already four “AMAZING WONDERS” only God can do. But, I lumped those two together since they were only one verse. So, let’s look at the next one. (So, 5 Total)
4.Death For Sin’s Penalty Was Given
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
The price for sins penalty was paid for all! When Christ Jesus died, He took the penalty of your sin on Himself. All you have to do is simply ask Him to forgive you and be your Savior with a repentant heart. He loves you so much (John 3:16) that He sent HIS Son for you. The entire world was perfectly made until sin entered into the world when Satan was cast down from Heaven. His angels (Satan) rule and rein this world until God says otherwise. Hell was not created for mankind, but for Satan and his angels. However, Heaven is available to all, by freedom of choice.
“That if thous shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
What an amazing God we serve! A God that loves us. God thinks we are precious to HIM! My friend, may we be reminded this Resurrection week, all the events that lead up to that last supper, the betrayal, the hideous acts against our Savior, HIS love and divine power to step off that cross, but is obedience to the Heavenly Father, all the things that occurred up to HIS death. These phenomenons because HE IS GOD! And more than ever, it was for the biggest phenomenon for eternity- eternal life for ALL! HIS saving power is just as real today as it was then. You CAN know you have an eternal home in Heaven. You can be saved! God can use you if you will submit and obey to HIS will. Oh, may we be reminded of the amazing God that we serve!
Happy Resurrection Week!
~ If you are a ministry wife or leader, be sure to check out the Resurrection Sunday Resources on the Resurrection Sunday Page.
~ I am knew here, how do you know Heaven is real? How do I know for sure Heaven is my eternal home? –> READ MORE of Travel Down the Roman’s Road or Let Us Travel
~ I know I am saved, but I want to live my life on purpose, how do I start that? How do I begin to walk with God? What might that look like if I added that to my day? What would help? Check out Girl Talk!