A Great Name from Church History: Mesrop Mashtots

Hollywood blockbusters sometimes portray supernatural events with big orchestral scores, thunder, lightning—the works! But the supernatural “special effects†at the crucifixion were so much more than dramatic artistry. These events, which no one could have engineered, had a special significance as Jesus willingly gave Himself as the sacrifice for sins.

Darkness over the land: Matthew writes that, in the middle of the afternoon, “darkness came over all the land†for three hours (Matthew 27:45). Hundreds of years earlier, God had judged Egypt with total darkness when the Pharoah refused to let the Israelites go (Exodus 10:21-23). But this time, it was Jesus who was being judged, taking on the curse of sin for the whole world in His body on the cross so everyone who puts their trust in Him could be set free.

The earth shook and the rocks split: After the darkness lifted, the ground quaked and rocks broke. Such a cataclysmic event as the death of the Son of God shook the earth to its roots! The Creator was on the cross. And Creation recoiled.

A partial resurrection: Matthew records the following eerie sign: “the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life†(Matthew 27:51-52). This event seems to be a sort of mini-resurrection, an example of what will occur when Christ returns to earth. The fact that these resurrected saints were seen by many people later confirmed the disciples’ report that Jesus rose from the dead three days later!

“Surely he was the Son of God!â€: Even those who didn’t know the Scriptures that foretold Christ, like the Roman centurion, realized these supernatural signs demonstrated that Jesus was no ordinary victim of public execution. The centurion testified: “Surely he was the Son of God†(Matthew 27:54).

Only the Son of God could live the righteous life and die the sacrificial death required to save us. He alone could rise victoriously from death to proclaim a supernatural salvation for you and me. • Laura N. Sweet

• What did these signs reveal to the Romans who were crucifying Jesus? To the Jews who were watching? To Jesus’ followers?

• How did God the Son show His power and mercy on the day He allowed Himself to be killed?

• Why did Jesus give His life for ours? (Read more on our “Know Jesus” page.)

“Surely he was the Son of God!†Matthew 27:54b (NIV)

Read Verses:

Matthew 9:35-38; Romans 10:14-17