JESUS’ DEATH: EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was marked by several extraordinary events that underscored the significance of His sacrifice and fulfilled prophetic scriptures. These events were divinely orchestrated to reveal profound truths about Jesus’ mission and the coming of the Messianic age.
1. Darkness Over the Land
One of the most striking events was the sudden and unexplainable darkness that covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. This period of darkness is recorded in both the Gospels of Mark (15:33) and Luke (23:44-45). This phenomenon fulfilled the prophecy found in the book of Amos: “‘It will happen in that day,’ says the Lord Yahweh, ‘that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day'” (Am 8:9). The darkness symbolized the judgment of God and the gravity of Jesus bearing the sins of the world. It was a powerful sign that something monumental was happening on a cosmic scale.
2. The Tearing of the Temple Veil
Another miraculous event was the tearing of the veil in the sanctuary of the Temple from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus’ death (Mt 27:51). The veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to make a sacrifice for the sins of the people (Lev 16:1-18). The tearing of this veil symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting all believers direct access to God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest.
3. Earthquake and Resurrection of Saints
Accompanying the tearing of the veil was a great earthquake, which caused rocks to split and tombs to open. Remarkably, the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life and appeared to many in Jerusalem (Mt 27:52-53). These resurrections were a foretaste of the final resurrection at the end of the age, signaling the inauguration of the Messianic era where death is ultimately defeated through Jesus’ victory.
REFLECTION
The extraordinary events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion served as divine affirmations of His identity as the Son of God and the significance of His sacrificial death. These signs were meant to lead eyewitnesses and future generations to faith in Christ. The response of the centurion and those with him (Mt 27:54) encapsulates the intended impact of these signs:
Jesus’ final words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46), demonstrate His unwavering trust and communion with the Father. This profound act of faith is an example for all believers. As Christians, our hope and prayer should be to live in such a way that, at the end of our lives, we can echo Jesus’ words, confident in our relationship with God and the salvation secured for us through Christ.
These extraordinary events remind us of the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They call us to deepen our faith and trust in God’s plan of salvation. As we reflect on the darkness that fell, the tearing of the veil, and the resurrection of the saints, let us remember that through Jesus, we have been granted direct access to the Father, the promise of eternal life, and victory over sin and death.
May we live each day in the light of these truths, striving to remain in communion with God, so that at the end of our earthly journey, we too can say with confidence, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”