Signs and Wonders Accompanying the Crucifixion. Mark 15:33-39
“33) When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34) At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”” 35) When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” 36) Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37) And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38) And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39) When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”” Mark 15:33-39
There were four powerful physical signs that accompanied the crucifixion of Jesus. First, darkness fell on the whole land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour.
This was most likely a darkness like that experienced in the land of Egypt years earlier under Moses. (Exodus 10:21-28) The connection to Moses should not escape notice. The Sanhedrin rejected Jesus in favor of Moses. God was profoundly connecting them!
The light of the world was being crucified. Darkness swept over the land. Such is the fate of any nation or generation that suppresses the light of the gospel. The kingdoms of light and darkness collided at the crucifixion.
Second, the very moment Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. It was a hand breath thick. The order top to bottom is an indication this was a heaven to earth event. As God had promised to Abraham that God wound provided for Himself the Lamb for the sacrifice. (Genesis 22:8)
The separation between God and man was removed. Jesus provided a way for man to be reconciled with God. Jesus didn’t walk around the veil, He pierced through it! He is the only way to God!
Third, Matthew records there was a great earthquake and rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51) This happened at the exact moment that Jesus died. The created realm was protesting that the One who holds all things together died. (Colossians 1:17) Jesus Christ momentarily vacated His position as Sustainer.
Finally, Matthew also records that tombs were open and many bodies of the saints were raised. (Matthew 27:52-53) Jesus defeated death. A host of captives were instantaneously set free from death.
Jesus punctuated His claim of being the Resurrection and the life. (John 11:25-26). He shortly emptied Abraham’s bosom and led captive a host of captives when He ascended to heaven. (Ephesians 4:8) His death freed mankind from Satan’s grip of death.
The defeat of Satan and death was so immediate and profound that some of the Old Testament saints instantaneously came back to life. Zoe life had come like a lightening bolt.
Some of the Old Testament saints got ahead of Gods plan. After His resurrection, Jesus most likely gathered these like straying sheep to accompany Him to His heavenly glorification.
Today when a believer dies, their soul and spirit immediately goes to heaven. (See Corinthians 5:1-9) Jesus will bring them back with Him at His promised return for the great resurrection and instantaneous transformation into our new bodies. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:59-58)
These four things accompanied the death of Jesus. They qualified as signs and wonders. They were so profound that we are ushered into Mark 15:39; “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”” He had never witnessed anything like this previously.
But keep in mind, there are three parts to the gospel message. They are; 1) the death, 2) the burial and 3) the resurrection. Each was essential and surpassed the wonder and glory of the previous.
According to Romans 7-8, the born-again believer becomes a progressive recipient of all three parts of the gospel. You have to move past the crucifixion to the resurrection and newness of life imparted by the Holy Spirit. Personal faith in the gospel is essential. (Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 10:8-10)
Don’t settle for being religious, pursue Jesus Christ until you are sealed and filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus wants you to walk in newness of life. He wants to turn you into a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“33) When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34) At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”” 35) When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” 36) Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37) And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38) And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39) When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”” Mark 15:33-39
There were four powerful physical signs that accompanied the crucifixion of Jesus. First, darkness fell on the whole land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour.
This was most likely a darkness like that experienced in the land of Egypt years earlier under Moses. (Exodus 10:21-28) The connection to Moses should not escape notice. The Sanhedrin rejected Jesus in favor of Moses. God was profoundly connecting them!
The light of the world was being crucified. Darkness swept over the land. Such is the fate of any nation or generation that suppresses the light of the gospel. The kingdoms of light and darkness collided at the crucifixion.
Second, the very moment Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. It was a hand breath thick. The order top to bottom is an indication this was a heaven to earth event. As God had promised to Abraham that God wound provided for Himself the Lamb for the sacrifice. (Genesis 22:8)
The separation between God and man was removed. Jesus provided a way for man to be reconciled with God. Jesus didn’t walk around the veil, He pierced through it! He is the only way to God!
Third, Matthew records there was a great earthquake and rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51) This happened at the exact moment that Jesus died. The created realm was protesting that the One who holds all things together died. (Colossians 1:17) Jesus Christ momentarily vacated His position as Sustainer.
Finally, Matthew also records that tombs were open and many bodies of the saints were raised. (Matthew 27:52-53) Jesus defeated death. A host of captives were instantaneously set free from death.
Jesus punctuated His claim of being the Resurrection and the life. (John 11:25-26). He shortly emptied Abraham’s bosom and led captive a host of captives when He ascended to heaven. (Ephesians 4:8) His death freed mankind from Satan’s grip of death.
The defeat of Satan and death was so immediate and profound that some of the Old Testament saints instantaneously came back to life. Zoe life had come like a lightening bolt.
Some of the Old Testament saints got ahead of Gods plan. After His resurrection, Jesus most likely gathered these like straying sheep to accompany Him to His heavenly glorification.
Today when a believer dies, their soul and spirit immediately goes to heaven. (See Corinthians 5:1-9) Jesus will bring them back with Him at His promised return for the great resurrection and instantaneous transformation into our new bodies. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:59-58)
These four things accompanied the death of Jesus. They qualified as signs and wonders. They were so profound that we are ushered into Mark 15:39; “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”” He had never witnessed anything like this previously.
But keep in mind, there are three parts to the gospel message. They are; 1) the death, 2) the burial and 3) the resurrection. Each was essential and surpassed the wonder and glory of the previous.
According to Romans 7-8, the born-again believer becomes a progressive recipient of all three parts of the gospel. You have to move past the crucifixion to the resurrection and newness of life imparted by the Holy Spirit. Personal faith in the gospel is essential. (Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 10:8-10)
Don’t settle for being religious, pursue Jesus Christ until you are sealed and filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus wants you to walk in newness of life. He wants to turn you into a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
