Matthew 27:50-54 (2)

Imagine being locked in a prison you can’t escape. The small cell, the lack of light, the fear and anxiety of living with or near other prisoners. Sadly, it is the human condition. We are all born into such a prison and we choose to remain there. We’re trapped by three things: 1) by inherited sin all the way back to Adam, 2) by our own choices to sin, and 3) by death - as Hebrews 9:27 says, “...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” We are held captive by enemies we can’t overcome on our own, no matter what we do. And what’s even worse is that through our sin, we voluntarily choose to remain in this prison. So we’re guilty and we’re trapped.

We can’t free ourselves. The truth is, only Jesus Christ can set us free. Which leads us to our text today, the scene of Jesus’ last moments on the cross. Jesus being crucified, suffering for our sake, dying so that we can be in right relationship with God.

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

So in obedience to the Father’s will, Jesus willingly chooses to die and yield up His spirit. He’s not forced. He’s not tricked. He’s not confused. Jesus makes an intentional choice to go to the cross, to suffer at the hands of sinful men, and to give His life as a ransom to free those who are captive to: sin, self, and Satan.

When Jesus gave up His spirit, it was the culmination of His earthly mission to redeem humanity. Jesus's death was a voluntary and purposeful act of love, fulfilling Scripture and showcasing His divine authority.

Jesus willingly gave everything for our salvation; our response should be one of gratitude and devotion each day.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

So when Jesus yields up His spirit, the curtain of the temple completely tears in two, the earth shakes, and rocks are split; tombs are opened and dead saints are resurrected and go into Jerusalem. In other words, God announces to the entire cosmos that Death is defeated. The prison doors are wide open.

It is important to note that Jesus’ sacrifice fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system and prophecies. The curtain tearing in two highlights that we now have direct access to God, through faith in Jesus Christ. The removal of this barrier between humanity and the Holy of Holies represents the new covenant established through Christ's death. We can now enter into God’s presence with confidence and receive His grace. As Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Also, the resurrection of the saints points to our future resurrection. Let us take comfort in knowing that no matter how many trials we face in life, or how difficult those trials are, one day, we too will be resurrected to eternal life with God.

54 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!”

This is a stunning admission from a Roman soldier - a soldier hardened by watching men die by crucifixion. This was no ordinary crucifixion. This time was different. The way Jesus died, what Jesus says, the curtain tearing in two, the earthquake, the splitting of rocks, the tombs opening, the resurrection of saints - this Gentile soldier is awestruck and confesses that Jesus is the Son of God.

This confession highlights the universal and undeniable impact of Jesus's sacrifice. It was in His death that the price was paid, breaking the chains of sin. Just as the centurion exclaimed, 'Surely, he was the Son of God!' we too must recognize our entrapment. Our expression of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done, by grace through faith, can lead us out of our prison into lasting freedom, transforming our chains of sin into testimonies of grace.

As Romans 10:9–10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”