The Real Purpose of Easterනියැදිය

Day 3: A Supernatural Tragedy

The horrors that Jesus went through and the example He gave us by taking them willingly for our sins are incredible, but even they do not tell the whole story. Jesus’ death was more than a declaration of love—it was a supernatural tragedy. It is amazing that Israel rejected Jesus, and the Roman authorities crucified Him, but creation always recognized Him.

During His life on this earth:

• Wind and waves obeyed Him.
• Water turned to wine at His command.
• Fishes and bread multiplied at His touch.
• Water solidified so He could walk across it.

Hence, it should come as no surprise that Jesus’ death was a traumatic event for creation.

That day was so paramount that the sky turned dark when Jesus’ precious blood fell upon the earth and He cried out, “It is finished!” This darkness began at the sixth hour, the very moment that the high priest, Caiaphas, arrayed in his full priestly garments, would begin the procession in which he would enter the temple courts to slaughter a great number of pure, spotless Passover lambs. This supernatural darkness lasted until the ninth hour—about the time when the sacrifices of the Passover lambs would be coming to an end. It was at this moment that Jesus, the final sacrifice, cried out, “It is finished!”

The earth shook, trembled, and shuddered at the death of its Creator, for it instantly felt its loss. Matthew 27:51 says, “The earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” The word “rocks” refers to large rocks. Matthew used this word to tell us that huge rocks were “rent” by the shaking of the earth. The word “rent” means to violently tear asunder or to terribly fracture. This was a serious earthquake! It makes me realize all over again the incredible significance of the death of Jesus Christ.

One of the most incredible events, however, was the tearing of the veil to the Holy of Holies. This veil was about 60 feet long and 20 wide, and it was a handbreadth thick. At the very moment that Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished!”—miles away from Golgotha and deep inside the Temple at Jerusalem—that massive, fortified veil that stood before the Holy of Holies was suddenly split in half from the top all the way to the bottom!

The sound of that veil splitting must have been deafening as it ripped and tore, starting from the top and going all the way down to the floor. It was as if invisible, divine hands had reached out to grab it, rip it to shreds, and discard it, declaring that the way to the Holy of Holies was now available to everyone who came to Him through the blood of Jesus!

Imagine how shocked the high priest must have been when he heard the ripping sounds inside the Temple and then watched as the veil was torn in half, leaving the two sides of the once-massive curtain lying collapsed to his right and his left. Just think what must have gone through this evil man’s mind when he saw that the way to the Holy of Holies was opened—and that God’s presence was no longer there. The Spirit of God, through the new birth that Jesus just purchased with the price of His own blood, could now live in the hearts of men, women, and children everywhere and for all time who believe in and accept Jesus as the ultimate Sacrifice—the only One who could eternally atone for sin.

Questions to Discuss:

1. The earth and its elements have always recognized and responded to the voice and the presence of the One who created them. How readily do you respond to the voice and the presence of the Holy Spirit who resides within you?

2. God personally removed all barriers that blocked man from His holy presence. Are you tolerating any unnecessary hindrances to coming boldly before the throne of God? What can you do to remove them?