What Happened the Moment Jesus Died?

Introduction

As you know, our society places great emphasis on upon appearances. Our culture really cares and emphasizes looks. I’m sorry, Greg, it’s the truth. We esteem, rightly or wrongly, we esteem people for how they look. And we judge people to a large extent based upon their appearance. We want people to look the part. And that’s not only true of our culture in our society, but it seems to be that way across the world. And historically speaking, I think we can argue it’s always been that way. What cultures view as attractive may change, but the fact that culture puts emphasis upon appearance has not changed.

It’s just a thought question. What did Jesus look like?

But what did Jesus look like? The New Testament gives us very little, if any, hints to that. The best information we have actually comes from the Old Testament, doesn’t it? The prophet Isaiah, in that famous chapter of the suffering servant in Isaiah chapter 53, says this about him, that he has, that when he would come, he would have no form or comliness. And when we see him, there’ll be no beauty to behold. I don’t think that means that Jesus was particularly unattractive. I think it just simply means that he would look like a man.

But there are numerous incidents in the story of the life of Christ that show to us that that appearance was deceiving. Because he wasn’t just a man, was he? When he began to teach, people realized there was something special about this teacher. They marveled at his teaching. And surely the miracle showed that he wasn’t just the son of a carpenter. And his death was different. That if the people who were alive at that time were not already aware that despite his appearance of just looking like a man, that he was more than a man. Surely the events that surrounded his death would have convinced them otherwise. Turn with me, if you will, in the book of Matthew, chapter 27. In Matthew chapter 27, we have Matthew’s historical account of the death, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

If our time this morning, we don’t want to necessarily focus upon that death and the events of the cross. Hopefully, as Bill has said, our minds have already gone there in our partaking of the Lord’s Supper. But this morning I would rather take your minds to what happened at the moment that Jesus died. Not his death itself, but the circumstances and the events that surrounded the death of Jesus. What happened at the moment that Jesus died. And what we’re going to see is, is those events, those unusual, extraordinary events, prove that he was not just a man. Are you in Matthew chapter 27? Let’s begin reading in verse 50. Matthew 27, verse 50 says, And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earthquaked and the rocks were split. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming out of the grave after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that happened, they feared greatly saying this was the Son of God. If they had not been convinced prior to this, surely those extraordinary events would convince those people he wasn’t just a man. The events that surrounded the death of Christ. Let’s look at those this morning and see if we too can marvel in who he was that was pronounced to be so by the circumstances surrounding his death.

1. The Veil of the Temple Was Torn

What happened at the moment that Jesus died? Well, the first thing the text says that Matthew says there in Matthew 27, verse 51, that at his death, when he had breathed his last and yielded up his spirit, that the veil of the temple. Other gospel writers tell us that the priest and the Levites were busy at that time of day getting things ready for the events that would take place, and that veil of a history lesson and talk about that veil in the temple and what it was and what it meant. You’ll remember that the temple proper was really a rectangle. And there were two rooms. The first room was known as the holy place, and there were some emblems from worship there. And at the end of that room, the most holy place, there was that veil from ceiling to floor, that separated that room from the smaller room that was known as the holiest place, or the holy of holies, or the most holy place.

And that room was isolated and protected by this veil, by this curtain.

In fact, turn over to Hebrews chapter 9 and let’s see what that veil did and how it separated and when that most holy place was accessed. In the book of Hebrews, chapter 9.

In Hebrews chapter 9, begin reading in verse 6. Now, when these things had been thus prepared, that is these the events and the items of the tabernacle that would later become the temple, when they were thus prepared, the priest always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But, verse 7 says, but into the second part, the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance. And so once a year, on the day of atonement, actually, the high priest, one day a year would pass through that veil, taking with him blood. The blood of a sacrifice, the atoning sacrifice. He had earlier by lot chosen two animals, two goats, and upon one would be ceremonially at least, confessed the sins of the people, and the sins would be, so to speak, placed upon that lamb or that goat, and it would be sent away, bearing the sins of the people away into the wilderness.

The second one would be slaughtered, and its blood would be the blood that was taken into that most holy place once a year on the day of atonement. Because in that most holy place, to the Israelites’ mind, that was the presence of God. Ezekiel would pray to the God who dwells between the cherubim. That was on the Ark of the Covenant. That was in the most holy place. And so the high priest would go into that most holy place and take with it blood for himself and for the sins of the people.

It represented the mercy seat where God’s mercy could be accessed and where atonement could be made by the blood. But it also symbolized restrictive access. You weren’t to go in there. No one could go in there except the high priest, and he could only go one day a year. And so a great extent, the message of the Old Testament, before the sacrifice of Christ, the message of the Old Testament was, come unto me, but not too close. A representative had to come into that most holy place. But when Jesus died, that veil was torn in two. What grand symbolism. That now that access to God that had been denied because of the sins of the people and because of an inadequate sacrifice to deal with those sins, that that veil and that access is now opened.

Are you still in Hebrews? Look in Hebrews chapter 9. And in verse 11. It says, But Christ came as the high priest of the good things to come with the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood. He entered the most holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Our Savior entered the most holy place when the veil was torn. And he went into not the symbolic presence of God, but to the very presence of God to make an offering, not with the blood of bulls and goats, the Hebrew writer says, but with his own blood. And that access to God is now open. And so the veil was torn with the moment that Jesus died.

2. The Earth Quaked and the Rocks Were Split

Another thing that the text tells us there in Matthew chapter 27 is that the earthquaked and the rocks were split. And so there was an earthquake. No coincidence that that shaking of the earth took place at that very moment when Jesus died, when the veil of the temple, when the access to God had been opened up by the blood and the flesh of Jesus Christ. But what’s the significance of this earthquake? Well, it may just be the magnitude of the moment, that such a monumental event and a moment needs something to get your attention. And so maybe the earth just shook to draw the attention to what was taking place. That this wasn’t just a man. It wasn’t just some criminal, some teacher who died upon the cross, that this is who he said he was.

Turn with me, if you will, back in the Old Testament to the book of Haggai. In Haggai chapter 2. The book of Haggai, the short book of Haggai, is written talking about the rebuilding of the temple of God. The temple had been destroyed by the invaders, by the Babylonians who came in judgment against Israel. And they had destroyed the temple. The people had been allowed to return from that captivity, and now they’re encouraged to rebuild the temple. And so they do. They rebuild the temple, but Haggai says, I know what some of you are thinking. Haggai says, I know especially what some of you old timers are thinking. Look what he says in Haggai chapter 2. In Haggai chapter 2, he says in verse 3, who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory?

And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this nothing in your eyes? And so he says, some of you that can remember that earlier temple that Solomon built, you’re looking at this one and saying it’s not the same. And he uses that attitude as to not look back in the past at the old Solomon temple, but to look forward to another event. And so he says in Haggai chapter 2, verse 6. For thus says the Lord of hosts, once more, it is a little while, and I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land, and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the desire of all nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, says the Lord of hosts.

In comparing not just the old temple, but the shaking of the mountain of the giving of the law in the old times, Haggai says, There’s going to come a time in which another shaking is going to take place. When the temple of the Lord is filled with my glory. Now let’s look in the New Testament. When did that take place? Let’s look in the New Testament, the book of Hebrews again, this time in Hebrews chapter twelve. So Haggai has said that the earth will shake again when the glory of the Lord comes into his temple. Now look what the Hebrew writer says in Hebrews chapter twelve, in verse twenty five beginning. See then that you do not refuse him who speaks, for if they did not escape, who refused him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from heaven from the one who speaks.

Whose voice then shook the earth, but now he has promised, yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, yet once more, indicates the removal of those things which are being shaken, of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. The Hebrew writer says, We’ve received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and that unshakable kingdom was brought in when the earth and heaven shook.

3. The Graves Were Opened

And so when Jesus died, the glory of the Lord comes in the temple, the veil is torn from top to bottom, accessing the very presence of God through which our high priest would enter. And as Haggai had prophesied, the earth shook once more. This wasn’t just a man who had died upon that cross. Maybe associated with that shaking, or maybe just corresponding with it. The Matthew account says that the earth shook, the rocks split, and the graves were opened. And after his resurrection, those deceased bodies arose.

That the fact that his tomb was open and his body would come forth, based upon his sacrificial death upon that cross, means that one day our tombs will be open. And we will be resurrected. Isn’t that the point of 1 Corinthians chapter 15? Look there, beginning in verse 54. 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

And in verse 54 it says, So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is your sting? Oh Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Surely that was the meaning of those graves being opened and those bodies being raised from the dead, that through Jesus Christ, victory over death has been accomplished. And so the sting and the pain of death and the grave can be eradicated by the power of this simple looking man. And the events of his death teach us that.

4. Surely This Was the Son of God

The graves were opened, and when the soldiers saw this, they had an interesting reaction. It says that the soldiers who were attending to his death said, Surely this was the Son of God. That’s an important and profound statement just by itself. But it’s made more profound when we realize who said it. These would have been Roman soldiers. We’re not Jews who were familiar with the Old Testament text and the prophecies. They surely would not have been his disciples. These were Roman, Gentile Roman soldiers, and these soldiers, it was their duty, their job to be there to carry out this sentence of execution. Then, as in now, that has to affect a person.

And I was trying to find them and make them pay.

She says, Because you don’t believe anybody. She said, You’re lied to all day long at work. She said, You don’t even believe what your grandma says now. Because what we do affects our personality, doesn’t it? And can you imagine being a Roman soldier, and it was your job to crucify people, to scourge, and to crucify people, that’s probably going to make you a little cynical and hardened. How many deaths, execution was not an unusual event in the first century. How many deaths had they witnessed? How many people had they beaten and killed? And so here are these hardened executioners, these soldiers, and they’re moved, it said.

Look in Luke chapter 23. At Luke’s telling.

Luke 23, verse 46 says, and when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. And having said this, he breathed his last, and when the centurion saw what happened, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And the whole crowd who had come together to the site, seeing what had been done, beat their breast and return. But all his acquaintances and the women who followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. They were moved by what they saw. Because maybe too late for them, they realized this wasn’t just a man who has been put to death upon this cross. So Matthew gives us that list of things that happened the moment that Jesus died, signifying, along with the other testimony, and also signifying with the testimony of that empty tomb in three days, that this wasn’t just a man.

5. Our Atonement Was Complete

Because what had happened the moment that Jesus died was not that there was one fewer persons upon the earth. But what happened the moment Jesus died was that our atonement was complete. The day of atonement, in which the high priest would pass through that veil with his own blood and make atonement for our sins. Turn with me to the book of 1 John, chapter 1.

In 1 John chapter 1, we’re talking about the sacrifice of Christ and the fellowship that we can have with him. John, 1 John 1, verse 1 begins, that which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, we have seen with our eyes, we’ve looked upon, and our hands have handled concerning the word of life. The life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and manifested to us. That which we have seen and heard, we declare to you that you may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. John says that man that we saw wasn’t just a man. And now you can read and have this fellowship with us.

And how that is not only possible, but it’s necessary.

And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. Sin had been committed. The will, the holiness, and the righteousness of God had been violated. And now a price needed to be paid that was equal to the gravity of the sin. The Hebrew writer says the blood of bulls and goats wouldn’t do it.

Conclusion

It took his blood. And the moment he died, the veil was torn when the rocks were split, the earthquaked, the graves were opened. At that moment the price was paid. And our atonement was complete. Because despite his appearances, he wasn’t just a man. Would you avail yourselves of the value of that day, of that moment of that death? Would you have that atonement complete and effective in your life by rendering obedience to the gospel? You can do that. You’ve heard the word of God. You can believe and respond by confessing your faith before man, repenting of your sins and being baptized for the remission of your sins, as the New Testament puts it, being baptized into that death that we just talked about. And your atonement can be made complete.

Maybe you’ve done that in the past, but the sacrifice of Christ has come to mean less to you. Your faith has weakened. And your obedience as a result. Then why not look to that cross and see Jesus for who He truly is? Your Savior and the Son of God. We can help you in any way this morning. Why not answer the gospel call as together we stand? And as we