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Premiered Jan 21, 2024
Five
events occurred after Jesus's death, most notably at the moment he died on the
cross. A remarkable phenomenon in nature unfolded, as recorded in Matthew
27:51. Today, we embark on a journey through the pivotal moments that unfolded after
the sacrificial death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. These
post-crucifixion events are not only awe-inspiring but hold the key to
understanding the transformative power of the Cross. Join us as we unravel the
mysteries and significance of five extraordinary occurrences that followed
Jesus's selfless act on the cross.
"The Earth shook, and the rocks broke,
showing the reaction of creation itself to the event of Jesus's death. This
biblical language indicates that Jesus's death had a profound impact not only
spiritually but also on nature itself, revealing the significance of this event
in the Christian faith.
Second, the tombs were opened, an incident recorded by
Matthew and absent from the other gospels. Many bodies of the Saints, people of
God who had passed away, were resurrected and came out of the tombs after
Jesus's resurrection. These saints went to the holy city of Jerusalem,
appearing to several people, as described in Matthew 27:52 and 53. The
earthquake caused damage to the tombs, which were made of stone, evidencing the
Resurrection. The authorship of these events can be credited exclusively to the
direct intervention of God, thus indicating Divine participation in the
earthquake due to the geological characteristics of Palestine, which is located
on an extensive earthquake fault. Although an earthquake is not uncommon in
this context, the opening of the tombs represents a significant testimony to
the significance of Jesus's crucifixion. Matthew's accounts emphasize the
conquest over death that Jesus achieved through his sacrifice on the cross. The
resurrection of these Saints and their manifestation in Jerusalem testify
impressively to the work carried out by Jesus on the cross and his subsequent
Resurrection. The expression 'holy people' probably refers to Pious figures
from the Old Testament, such as Heroes and martyrs in the history of Israel,
chosen to miraculously witness these events. Their appearance in Jerusalem
serves as an effective testimony to Jesus's work on the cross and his victory
over death. The resurrection of these Saints anticipates Paul's teaching about
Jesus being the first fruits deceased. This implies that in the same way as
Christ has been revived, those who are of Christ will also be revived with
Immortal and Incorruptible bodies in their arrival (1 Corinthians 15:20 to 23).
Third, the veil of the Temple was torn in Matthew 27:50 and 51 after Jesus
cried out in intense anguish and gave up his Spirit. The veil of the sanctuary,
located in the most sacred interior of the temple, was divided in half from top
to bottom. This occurred immediately after Jesus's death. The veil was a type
of curtain that separated the sacred area of the temple from the most sacred
part known as the holy of holies. This separation symbolized the distance
between God and human beings. However, when the veil was torn, it indicated the
removal of the barrier between God and people. Before this event, only the high
priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies, and that only once a year.
Furthermore, he could only do so through the sacrifice of animals as a sin
offering. However, through Jesus's work on the cross, all believers now have
access to the holy of holies. This transformation is explained in Hebrews 10:19-20, which states that we have confidence to enter the holy Place
through the blood of Jesus, through a New and Living Way that he has provided
for us through the veil, which symbolizes his body. Now, as Believers in Jesus,
we have the ability to draw closer to God with confidence. The breaking of the
veil was a powerful sign that Jesus's sacrifice on the cross was completely
sufficient to forgive sins and enable direct access to God. He made it clear
that we no longer need intermediaries or religious ceremonies to get closer to
God because Jesus opened the way for all of us. In this way, the breaking of
the veil serves as a reminder of God's love and mercy, revealing his desire to
relate to us in an intimate way. Now we can approach God with faith and confidence,
knowing that we have been reconciled to him through Jesus's work on the cross.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzvdFos8bno
