51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
What a drama! What a scene! What a startling supernatural event! Access now available to the Holy of Holies as the curtain was torn by an invisible power, the earth shaking and the rocks crying out, even the dead raised to life as a firstfruits token of the coming harvest when all the saints of Christ will be physically raised. Surely these happenings had to have left onlookers wide eyed and open mouthed! Do you suppose any were wondering why – particularly those who had followed our Lord to the cross? In our verses for today we read of the miracles which accompanied Christ’s death. Our Lord had performed a myriad of miracles in His life and it is therefore not surprising as well as fitting that we discover miracles accompanying His death as well.
“Miracles are the great bell of the universe, which draws men to God’s sermons.” John Foster
37 “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” John 10:37-38 (NIV)
To be sure, the rending of the curtain from top to bottom was no small thing. The curtain of the temple was placed for concealment of the Most Holy Place – to separate all men, even the priests, from the presence of God. Only the high priest - and he just once a year - with great ceremony and solemnity – was permitted to enter behind it on the Day of Atonement. The significance was pristinely clear, man was separated from God because of sin and could only approach Him through blood presented by the priest who also had to offer incense that he himself might obtain mercy and not die.
In the rending of the curtain, the old law of ordinances was put away, rent and laid aside. When Jesus died the sacrifices were finished as all was fulfilled in Him. No blood of bulls or lambs remained needed for Jesus entered within the veil with His own precious blood. This tearing signified a new and living way to God. The curtain prevented people from drawing near (for their own safety) but the tearing of the curtain signified that Christ by His death – through His blood - had permanently opened a way to God. There is now no barrier to God’s presence in the Most Holy Place - for those who are covered by Jesus’ redeeming blood. Christ’s death gives believers in Him the needed access and route to God. We can come to Him in full assurance of faith whenever we want. The writer of Hebrews tells us:
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb 10:19-23 (NIV)
“He died, to bring us to God, and, in order to accomplish this, to tear that curtain of guilt and wrath which interposed between us and him. We have free access through Christ to the throne of grace, or mercy seat now, and to the throne of glory hereafter. When Christ had overcome the sharpness of death, he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Nothing can obstruct or discourage our access to heaven.” Matthew Henry
Next we see the earth bearing testimony to Jesus’ innocence by trembling over the horrible wickedness of Christ’s crucifiers. Remember, we, too, nailed Him to the cross with our sins. The earthquake also signified the fatal blow given to the devil’s kingdom – Hallelujah! The hardest and firmest parts of the earth – the rocks – were made to split – crying out - proclaiming the glory of Jesus when perhaps no human voice uttered His praises. Remember our Lord’s Word’s to the naysayers when he entered in triumph to Jerusalem and many were singing Hosanna:
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:37-40 (NIV)
Lastly, we see the tombs broken open and many of the holy people were raised to life. Even those who lived and died before the death and resurrection of Christ gained saving benefit from it as those who have lived since. Jesus Christ by dying, conquered, disarmed and disabled death. These saints that arose were the present trophies of Christ’s cross –bringing many men to glory.