The Day God Died
Matthew 27:50-54
Attention
1. There are many incredible aspects of Christ’s ministry:
His miracles, His teaching, His resurrection.
a. But no aspect of Christ’s
life is more challenging to me personally, than the fact of His Incarnation.
b. How could God become Man?
How could the Creator assume a position as part of the creation?
2. It is mind boggling to think of God becoming a baby,
being born, growing up, experiencing humanity.
a. Jesus was both fully God and
fully Man, so the scriptures teach, so we confess, but can we understand?
b. That God became a man is
amazing, but consider this, He not only became a man, He died.
27:1-50
3. There were significant events leading up to His death.
a. Who can fail to see the
symbolism of Barabbas’ pardon?
(1) A guilty
man, condemned to death, was set free while an innocent man died in his place.
(2) Barabbas
was a real man, but his story represents us all; we were guilty and condemned,
but set free.
b. The silent resignation of
our Savior to His fate is a model of faith, courage, and meekness.
(1) They
cast insults, and worse, at Him as He hung on display; He could have come down,
but He didn’t.
(2) How
could God in His righteousness and justice endure such abuse? We do not deserve
His restraint.
c. For three hours prior to His
death, the whole land was full of darkness.
(1) It isn’t
usually dark from noon to three o’clock, but that darkness was a sign from
Heaven.
(2) That
time was the power of darkness; Jesus died because of the darkness of
sin, to turn men to the light.
4. The events at Jesus’ death give us a picture of the
significance of that day, the day God died.
a. In this lesson, we will
focus in particular on three events recorded by Matthew. Mt. 27:51-54
b. These events were not random
or coincidental; they are intended to be instructive.
[Prop.] The incredible power God displayed when Jesus
died teaches us to realize the significance of His death.
I.
Heaven was Opened (51a)
A.
The Event
1.
The veil within the Temple separated the Holy outer room from the
Most Holy inner room.
a)
The Holy Place contained the table of showbread,
lampstand, and altar of incense.
b)
The Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant, topped by the
mercy seat.
2.
Priests entered the Holy Place daily, but only the High Priest entered
the Most Holy, once a year.
a)
The Most Holy Place was most holy because it represented the presence of
God.
b)
The High Priest could not enter without blood; He entered to atone for
the people’s sins.
B.
The Significance
1.
What is the significance of the veil separating the Most Holy Place being
torn in two?
a)
Christ entered that holy place once for all; the veil is no longer
needed. He. 9:11-14
b)
Christ opened the holy place so that we now may draw near to God.
He. 6:19-20; 10:19-22
2.
When Jesus died He eliminated the need for a veil screening us from God’s
presence.
a)
There is no need for further sacrifices; one offering can atone for us
all.
b)
There is no more priesthood keeping us separate; all Christians are
priests. (1Pe. 2:5)
3.
Jesus’ death opened the door to Heaven, so that we may enter boldly,
having been forgiven.
a)
Do we appreciate our opportunity in Christ to come to God with confidence
we are heard?
b)
There was a barrier between us and God, no more; are we living by faith
with confidence?
II.
Earth was Shaken (51b)
A.
The Event
1.
It seems fitting that creation rocked when the Creator died.
a)
What analogy can we use to describe the nature of this moment? Every one
falls short.
b)
What was it like? Standing at the cross, in the darkness, and the earth
begins to quake.
2.
This was no mild tremor; when God died, rocks were split by the power
that shook the earth.
a)
The shaking of earth is often associated with God’s power in prophetic
literature.
b)
One recalls Habakkuk saying, “The mountains saw You
and trembled” (3:10).
B.
The Significance
1.
The shaking of the earth was significant in the displays of God’s power
in scripture.
a)
When Israel came to Mt. Sinai, Jehovah descended on the mountain, and
shook it. Ex. 19:18
b)
David spoke of the earth being shaken when God came to deliver His
servant. Ps. 18:6-9
2.
Earth can be shaken because it is impermanent; one day this earth and
heavens will pass away.
a)
But the kingdom of Christ will never be shaken; it will stand forever.
He. 12:25-29
b)
We should respect the awesome power of God which shook the earth and will
destroy it.
3.
Creation quaked as the Creator died, but one day it will quake again, for
the last time.
a)
Have we learned the lesson taught by the shaking earth, a lesson about an
unshakeable God?
b)
Has the power of God made a practical impression on us? Serve Him with
righteous fear.
III.
Death was Broken (52-53)
A.
The Event
1.
Men were raised from the dead in the OT; not very many times, but it did
happen.
a)
But never was a man raised from the dead without the application of some
agent.
b)
When Jesus died the dead came forth from their graves without agency,
called by His power.
2.
Who these saints were, and what happened to them later is unknown; the
Spirit does not tell us.
a)
What an incredible experience! Did they know how they were raised or why?
b)
All we know is that Jesus’ death brought men to life, and others joined
in His resurrection.
B.
The Significance
1.
It makes sense that dead men rose when Jesus died; after all, He died to
raise the dead.
a)
Jesus died to resurrect men who are dead in sin. Co. 2:13;
Jn. 5:24-27
b)
He died and rose to overcome death and raise all the dead at the last
day. Jn. 5:28-29
2.
We sing of Jesus’ death, “Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior, He
tore the bars away.”
a)
One day that will be true of us all; just as these saints rose from the
dead, we will too.
b)
The death and resurrection of Jesus makes it all possible.
3.
Those who listen to the Lord and obey His voice can be raised from the
death of sin today.
a)
They will rise from their graves at the end of time also to live forever
with the Lord.
b)
Those who do not heed God’s Son remain dead; they will one day rise to
suffer forever.
Action
1. When the centurion saw what happened – the darkness, the
earthquake – he said, “This was God’s Son!”
a. Perhaps this was not a
confession of saving faith, but this man knew these events were signs from God.
b. Do we have the same
perception to appreciate the significance of these events and the lessons they
teach?
2. What happened the day God died? Heaven was opened. Earth
was shaken. Death was broken.
a. These things occurred that
we might know the power and the hand of God behind it all.
b. Will you see the mighty work
of God, and serve Him with godly fear and trembling? Mk. 16:16