THE SIGNS AT JESUS' DEATH

Text:  Matthew 27:51-54.

Purpose:  To call attention to the supernatural phenomena which accompanied the death of Jesus Christ, their significance in the light of other Scripture, and their intended and actual effect as pointers to the Person and work of Christ.

Introduction

Many brief incidents or conversations lie on the surface of the Gospels, yet frequently go unnoticed by the casual reader. It is as if these short passages are obscured by the greater emphasis given their more prominent neighbor-texts. One such neglected passage is that which records the signs at Jesus' death. Matthew reports that when the Son of God died, the impact was attested by an earthquake, the tearing of the Temple veil, and the opening of graves with subsequent appearances by those who revived. These three signs and their meaning are our interest in this lesson.

Body

I. The earthquake.

   A. This was an act caused by the "direct and unusual interposition of the Creator." The physical creation itself acknowledged by a tremor the final heaving of breath from the body of God-in-the-flesh.

   B. As the earth shook, so should men's hearts be shaken, rousing them from "the dull dream of a sense-bound life," at the moment they crucified the Son of God. The trembling earth is a reminder that it is temporary, and that men should give their love to One who now lives forever and whose Word will never pass away (I John 2:15-17).

   C. The earthquake served as a divine gavel, calling attention to the irony of what was taking place. For the God who shook the earth was also accomplishing His eternal purpose, albeit through the sinful work of rebellious creatures, who, had they realized their part in God's plan, would have refused even to do that (I Corinthians 2:7,8).

   D. By an earthquake and rocks breaking, the frustrated earth, in bondage to vanity by the sin of man, seemed to sigh in anticipation of its own redemption, then being accomplished (Romans 8:21,22).

   E. The earth itself paid royal honor to Jesus, "when Christ, the Mighty Maker, died for man the creature's sin. "

II. The veil of the Temple torn from top to bottom.

   A. Here was a sign to be observed first by the Jews, particularly by the priestly establishment that had demanded Jesus' death by the Romans. Josephus says that the Temple veil separating the Most Holy Place from the outer room was 60 feet tall, 30 feet across, and as thick as a man's hand. For it to tear was a mighty sign, probably a noisy one, and certain to attract horrified attention.

   B. This was a sign that the Jewish dispensation, by the act of God Himself, was at an end. The privileges of law, priesthood and national covenant had separated Jew from Gentile for over 1,000 years. Now God was removing the barriers, creating in His Son a new covenant of grace, offered to "every creature" (Ephesians 2:14,15; Mark 16:15,16).

   C. Here was notice that now, by Christ's death, God was making known in public view the revelation of the mystery which had been hidden from past ages. In the cross of Jesus, the "curtain" was torn away from the secret purpose of grace, exposing to historical vision God's wrath against sin, His love for sinners, and His way of satisfying both in divine justice. As the gospel of Christ is proclaimed, angels see what neither they nor the prophets could know before - that the new Christian community is the concrete demonstration of the eternal plan of redemption; in His Son, and in Him alone, God reconciled, redeemed, justified, sanctified and glorified all those who would be united with Him by living faith (Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Peter 1:9-12).

   D. This was a sign that the way into the heavenly Holy Place was now opened for human travel, cleared and paved by the atoning work of God's Son our Forerunner and Scout (Hebrews 6:19,20; 10:19, 20).

III. The graves opened and saints appearing.

   A. Many questions about this must remain unanswered for the present. Who were these "saints"? What was their risen condition and form? To whom did they appear and what did they say? We cannot know.

   B. That a mighty event had transpired was clear, however, and so now is its meaning. Although it then appeared that Satan had thoroughly defeated Jesus by putting Him to death, this sign was proof even then that the reverse was true. For the power of Jesus was so great, and His life was so sinlessly out of Satan's reach, that Death's gate could not open to admit its week-end Visitor without other prior residents taking their sudden, if temporary, leave! "Death could not keep his prey; Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away! Jesus, my Lord!" Up from the grave He would come - and even in His death this sign reminded men of that promise. See Hebrews 1:14,15; Revelation 1:18.

Conclusion

I. These signs had an immediate effect on a centurion who was standing by. "Truly this man was a son of God," he said, the highest recognition his pagan-intellect was capable of giving - though he had probably supervised Jesus' death by the Roman soldiers.

II. It is not unfair to suppose that these signs were still in the minds and conversations of local citizens seven weeks later, when Pentecost came with its additional manifestations of divine power and mercy. Nor is it out of reason to suppose that their impact helped prepare some of the 3,000 persons' hearts who responded to the gospel on that day.

III. These signs were recorded for future generations, and their impact and meaning must not fall wasted on our hearing today. This dark moment, when the sun refused to shine and the earth wrenched and shook, was the crisis-point of all history. It was the ultimate self humiliation of God Himself, to bring to glory His undeserving and rebellious creatures (Philippians 2:5ff). You and I are included in that category. What effect will His death have on us now?

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