Good Friday

A bit random for our blog, especially after only a few posts recently. However, I wanted to post a few thoughts related to Easter.

Matthew 27 highlights some miracles that happened at Jesus' death on the cross:

1) The veil in the temple was split in half (Matt. 27:51). Matthew Henry's commentary notes that this occurred at a prime time when the priests would be there to view it as it was during the traditional time of sacrifice for the Passover.

2) A great earthquake occurred (Matt. 27:51). Even the earth itself groaned in agony and perhaps protest of the events taking place. Rocks split...maybe they were crying out.

3) Tombs were opened and some were raised from the dead (Matt. 27:52-53).

4) The centurion and those with him believed (Matt. 27:54). This wasn't Christ in all His glory--this was Him at the bottom in full humiliation submitting himself to the will of His Father. All were mocking Him. But these men, close to him and guarding Him saw something that others seemed to have missed.

Matthew Henry notes that Jesus calling out in a loud voice (Matt. 27:50) is also a miracle and shows that Christ is willingly giving up His spirit. He says the voice is the first to go as a man draws near to death and at this stage, Christ's death is imminent.

Although not articulated clearly in Matthew 27, other accounts (such as Luke 23:39-43) point to the salvation of the one robber hanging on the cross as a miracle. Jesus says He would be with Him in Paradise that very day. Again, we have someone seeing Jesus for who He is and responding with repentance.

The account of Christ's death is often read and His resurrection discussed, but sometimes these miracles at the death of Christ are frequently missed. However, they happened. And as one looks more deeply, they each have significance and meaning. Don't miss them.

(If you want to read Matthew Henry's account in more detail and see the actual text, check it out here.)