Matthew 27:45-56

Matthew 27:45-56

The death of Jesus has inspired more words than any other event in history. Literally, tens of millions of words have been used to describe and discuss this moment. For Matthew it is twelve, short verses. But even in these short verses Matthew fills them with Old Testament allusions.

The darkness was no natural event, but a sign of God’s emotional reaction to the events and perhaps a reference to the plague of darkness on Egypt. The Lord’s crying out is taken from Psalm 22 and this is the only occasion in the Gospels where Jesus does not call God His Father. As the sins of the world are placed on Jesus the Father turns away. What a profound description of the isolation Jesus experienced. His rejection is complete. Jesus was rejected by the disciples, Jewish leaders, His people, the Gentiles and now even His Father turns from Him.

The drink offered was likely wine vinegar mixed with water. Most likely, but not certainly, it would have been brought by the soldiers. Even in this moment we see Matthew’s recurring theme that Jesus is the source of division. There were those who offered an act of kindness and those who would in this moment mock Him.

In the moment of death in verse 50 we see Jesus cry out. This marks a strong voice of declaration not a fading whisper. Matthew doesn’t record what Jesus cries out. It may have been, “It is finished,” or it may have been the victory cry of a great warrior at the moment of death that knows He has defeated death. Jesus yields up His spirit. This was a deliberate act of His will. Death did not happen to Him. Death did not take him. Death did not win round one on Friday with Jesus winning a rematch on Sunday. Jesus, as an act of His will, gave up His life or spirit.

In addition to the darkness, three events in the natural world marked the death of Jesus. The temple curtain is torn from top to bottom indicating this was the hand of God. Access to the presence of God was now open as it had not been since the Garden of Eden. There is a rabbinic tradition that in the last 40 years before the destruction of the temple the doors of the temple would open by themselves. The second manifestation was an earthquake of such a violent nature the rocks split. This was no minor tremor. The third manifestation was the resurrection of the saints of old. The soldiers would have only seen the darkness and felt the earthquake but this was enough to produce faith. Interestingly, the dividing line Jesus spoke about is seen here again in those who will believe and those who persist in non-belief.

Matthew begins to sight the eyewitnesses to the crucifixion and death of Jesus. There can be no doubt that His death was as unique and significant as His life and teaching. The evidence is there, what we do with it God leaves up to us. Faith or unbelief is in our hands and hearts.

"Lord grant me a heart this will truly believe. AMEN"