Wednesday, April 5th Aftermath

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Read Matthew 27:51-54

Mark 15:38

The sky had been dark since noon. For 3 hours the sun’s light failed. Creation itself reflected the agony of the cross. At the ninth hour, three o’clock, Jesus cried out and breathed His last, but the phenomenon of the cross was not over.

The Holy of Holies in the temple was separated by an enormous curtain comprised of several smaller veils. It was joked at the time that it took 300 priests to manipulate the curtain. The purpose of this separation was to keep the people from entering the presence of the Shechinah glory which represented God’s presence in the temple. At the final breath of Christ’s life, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The hand of God ripped the barrier between God and man. Christ’s death provided direct access to the Father.

The remarkable events continued. The ground shook with earthquakes as if making a statement that the Son of God would not die quietly. Rocks were split in two. Tombs were opened and many of the bodies of saints who had died came to life and roamed freely in the city.

Watching all of this was a centurion. With him was a small band of four guards who were responsible to keep an eye on Jesus. The phenomenal events around the cross struck fear into their hearts and led them to only one conclusion, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mark 45:39).

Something to think about

1. Have you experienced an eclipse or an earthquake?

2. Why was creation responding like this at Christ’s death?

3. What is the significance of the torn curtain for you?