Bible Text: Matthew 27:45-28:20 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Love’s Triumph or Why I’ve Stopped Worrying About Death, Matthew

1.  From noon till 3:00 on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion a supernatural darkness covered the land.  This darkness signified:  that Jesus had become the sin-offering for the world (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24,25; 3:18); that Jesus was forsaken by the Father (vs. 46; Psalm 22); and that Jesus was separated from the Father judicially.  Jesus became a curse for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, through faith in Him.

2.  Three other events signified the uniqueness of Jesus’ death and His victory over sin and death: 

-the Temple curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom signifying that the way to God is now open to all.  We now go to God directly, not through man nor ritual (1 Timothy 2:5).  Jesus’ death provided forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God.

-the earth shook and rocks split (even Creation (which is itself awaiting redemption, Romans 8:19, reacts to Jesus’ death)

-tombs broke open and many righteous were raised to life