The Death that Rocked the World

By Pastor Chad

Read: Matthew 27:32-56

Have you ever known someone that likes to name drop? I once had a friend that loved to name drop famous philosophers and theologians. These men and women were only popular among a small group of people, but they were highly respected within that circle. My friend used to love to say, “Well, I just spoke with so-and-so the other day, and he argues that…” This so-and-so was always a well-known, prestigious academic. Every time my friend would name drop, I’d roll my eyes. It was almost like he really didn’t care about the person he referenced. All he really cared about was that we admire him because he knows the “big dogs.” 

To be fair, it is exciting to know and talk with interesting people. The rich, famous, and powerful always seem so…other. To us regular folks, they seem like they are different. Truth is they aren’t really that different from the rest of us. They may have special giftings and a particular status that allows them to accomplish tasks the rest of us can’t, but they are still just human beings. 

Who is the most interesting person in the world? Well, though He is three persons in One, I’d say God is the most interesting. He is unique, distinct, almighty, and completely other. There is no greater Being in all of existence. If God is the greatest Being, then how are we able to fellowship with Him? How can we be friends with Him? The simple answer is: through Jesus. 

In Matthew 27:50-52, the gospel writer records the death of Jesus as follows, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened.”

As you might know, only the high priest could enter a part of the temple called the “Holy of Holies.” This was an especially sacred section that housed the Ark of the Covenant. This chamber represented the manifest presence of the Lord. Only certain men could enter it at certain times. A curtain separated the Holy of Holies from other chambers in the temple. When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn. This act symbolizes and inaugurates a new day in approaching God. Now, all who want to know God can know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death shook up the religious order. It introduced a new day for mankind. Jesus’ death literally and spiritually rocked the world.

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Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son to open the way for all to come to you. Thank you, Jesus, for dying so that we may fellowship with the triune God. And thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding and directing me in this walk.