Matthew 27:45-54
It is notable that the darkness that fell over Jerusalem as Jesus was writhing in agony on the cross came at the sun’s zenith. The third and six hours mentioned in the Gospels map to noon and 3 p.m. respectively, and so the sky’s ‘mysterious’ darkening at the brightest part of the day serves as a major metaphor of what was happening on the cross below.
Christ was being forsaken by the Father. The crucial moment of the eternal plan had come, the apex of his wrath met the countless sins as both were being poured onto Jesus. The old saying “justice and mercy kissed at the cross” happened here, at this moment, in the Person of Jesus.
In Jesus, his perfect soul was tormented by this incalculable mass of sins. The critical moment had come. The penalty of his sacrifice was upon him. And the sins of his people was being laid on his heart and soul.
The Father could no longer look at him because he couldn’t be seen. He was covered in sin. He was eclipsed by the moral filth of those he came to saved. And so Jesus cried out with a loud voice and died as the ignorant observers near his cross superstitiously contemplated whether Elijah would arrive in a fiery chariot to whisk him to heaven.
As Jesus breathed his last, the temple’s veil was torn in two. The ground shook and the graves opened releasing persons of faith who would bear witness to his astonishing work. The end of temple’s age had come as the perfect sacrifice had been made. No longer would the blood of animals be required to enter into the presence of the Lord. No longer would a symbol of the true Sacrifice be needed. The symbol now found its reality in Jesus’ sacrifice and the holy of holies would be found in hearts of believers who placed their faith in him.
The God of Israel would now offered his grace to all nations, just as he promised Abraham ages before – including the Gentile centurion whose eyes were opened at the spectacular things that took place as Jesus died.
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