Matthew 27:45-56

The Death of Jesus

It is typical on Palm Sunday to focus on Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. There is certainly much to say about what is called His Triumphal Entry.

As significant as it is, the real triumph occurs in two distinct events later in the week.

The first of these is the death of Christ, recorded in all four gospels. Each writer shares a particular perspective and reading them together is helpful. However, this morning I want to look at Matthew’s account of Jesus’ death.

The second is the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus which we will look at on Easter Sunday.

The death of Jesus is accompanied by several notable physical occurences that announce that the Kingdom of God is indeed present.

Darkness Covered the Land

Matthew 27:45 HCSB

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land.

This darkness was not caused by an eclipse as some have speculated. This darkness has a explicitly supernatural cause.

In God’s Word, darkness often signifies the activity of the adversary, Satan. Matthew alludes to this earlier in

Matthew 4:16 HCSB

The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.

Darkness also suggests the time of God’s intervention in judgment - see Matthew 24:29

Matthew 24:29 HCSB

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the celestial powers will be shaken.

One writer suggests that this darkness

“is intended to mark the frown of God’s displeasure and the anticipation of his judgment.

John Nolland, The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2005), 1205.

This darkness was felt as much as it was ‘seen.’ It was an eerie experience for all that were present at the place of crucifixion.

The Cry of Dereliction

Matthew 27:46–49 (HCSB)

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!”

Centuries before Jesus’ life, a shepherd named David wrote dozens of prayers that found their way into the prayer life of God’s people.

One of those ancient prayers is recorded for us in Psalm 22.

The psalm begins with the words Jesus spoke in Matt 27:46, but goes on to conclude with words of confidence in God’s power to deliver:

Psalm 22:27–31 HCSB

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will bow down before You, for kingship belongs to the Lord; He rules over the nations. All who prosper on earth will eat and bow down; all those who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even the one who cannot preserve his life. Their descendants will serve Him; the next generation will be told about the Lord. They will come and tell a people yet to be born about His righteousness— what He has done.

The crowd around the cross are truly deaf and blind to what is occuring. It is likely that Jesus recites the entire Psalm - even though most around Him totally misunderstand His words.

Jesus ‘gave up His Spirit’

The only one of the original twelve followers of Jesus present at the cross was John. He recorded this moment by sharing Jesus’ words:

John 19:30 (HCSB)

He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

As Jesus died several remarkable events occured:

The curtain of the Temple was ‘split in two from top to bottom’

Two prominent curtains were part of the temple. The first was the curtain separating the Court of the Gentiles from the Holy Place, which was reserved for Jewish males. The second curtain separated the Holy Place - where the Altar of Sacrifice was located, from the Holy of Holies - which contained the Ark of the Covenant. The Holy of Holies was only accessible one day each year by one person: the High Priest.

Perhaps both curtains were torn - from top to bottom. Perhaps it was only the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Torn from the top to the bottom indicates that those barriers to anyone coming into God’s presence no longer exist. The way is open for all who seek after God.

The earth quaked, the rocks split, and tombs of believers in Jesus were opened

Earthquakes, while not an everyday occurence were not unfamiliar to those living in Judea. This earthquake is different.

As the earth shook, graves were opened and ‘saints’ - people who placed their faith in Jesus, people who had died believing that God was present in Jesus - were resuscitated and they appeared to ‘many.’

One writer summarizes this unusual event:

Just as the rending of the temple curtain makes it clear that the way to God is open for all, so the raising of the saints shows that death has been conquered. Those so raised went into Jerusalem and appeared to many. Since there are no other records of these appearances, it appears to be impossible to say anything about them. But Matthew is surely giving expression to his conviction that Jesus is Lord over both the living and the dead.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 725.

A Centurion Confesses Jesus as Lord

Matthew 27:54–55 HCSB

When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!” Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him were there, looking on from a distance.

In Roman army terms a centurion was one responsible for a group of between 80 - 100 soldiers. Centurions were typically career soldiers, having risen from lower ranks to positions of authority and responsibility.

Like other centurions this Roman soldier had seen combat, death, and all sorts of destruction. This was not his first crucifixion.

One scholar notes,

The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Signs at Jesus’ Death (27:45–54)

it remains the cross that declares Jesus’ Sonship (cf. 4:3; 27:40), as in 8:8–12 the astonishing first confession in the holy land comes from a Gentile centurion, and as in 2:1–12 those who first acknowledge Jesus as King of Israel are those outside God’s household.

Notice as well the presence of ‘many women.’ Only one of the male disciples was present, but ‘many’ women stayed. It is important to note that the first people to see and experience the presence of the Risen Christ were women!

REFLECT AND RESPOND

Ever since that Friday over two thousand years ago people have been living in an odd, in-between era. Many have simply ignored the sense of unease, choosing various ways of coping - substance abuse, immersion in lives of seeking after constant pleasure.

Looking backwards at those unusual events from two thousand years ago calls for recalibrating our lives.

The death of Jesus on the cross announces the unveiling of the presence of God’s kingdom.

Though we don’t yet see the fullness of God’s Kingdom unveiled, the cross is THE PLACE where God’s power begins to replace the systems of the world under the control of the enemy.

Matthew 4:8–10 HCSB

Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”

Jesus didn’t argue about who was in charge because Jesus knew that in just a few short years, God would act in a way that could not be ignored.

As Jesus died on the cross, as the earth quaked, the curtain was torn, as graves opened, as non-Jews recognized Jesus as the One and Only Son of God - God’s kingdom began to take root.

Satan may have thought he won with Jesus’ death, but he missed the significance of the signs.

I wonder about myself - and those of us listening - are we missing the significance of the signs?

God is on the move -

Darkness appears to be gaining the upper hand. Darkness seems to be spreading more rapidly than the light we bear.

Don’t miss this: darkness is temporary!

God’s presence is universally accesible

What God did at the cross - defeating sin and death - is for all who believe. Paul, an earlier follower of Jesus challenged his generation and ours:

Romans 10:12–15 HCSB

for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!

God’s power is evident -

Hundreds were at the cross that day. Only one is recorded as confessing Jesus as the Son of God. At Jesus’ birth it was wise men from far away that confessed Jesus as the Son of God while the experts in Jewish law missed Him completely. In His death a Roman proclaims faith.

When you contemplate the cross - what do you see?

I invite you to see with me:

GOD’S PRESENCE FOR ALL

GOD’S POWER TOWARD ALL

GOD’S KINGDOM ON THE MOVE!

Today, with the Roman centurion you can confess Jesus as Lord - perhaps for the first time.

If you are making this choice for the first time, let us know…use the connection card, come during our final song and share your choice with me.

Like the disciples you may have let fear distract you and distance you from all God is doing. Today you can overcome the distance and distraction because whatever obstacles you have raised, God can remove!

If you are looking for a church family, let me invite you to become part of ours -

by letter from another SBC church-

by your statement of faith- having been baptized in a church similar to ours-