Easter - Day 02

Day 02: Tuesday, April 04
Read Matthew 27:45-54

Highlight
Here we see Jesus’ agony on full display. It’s hard to read, hard to fathom. His words are cutting, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He’s echoing again the prophecy of David in Psalm 22:1, but you can sense how deeply personal it is. He knows what must be done and he knows the outcome, but just as we saw in the Garden of Gethsemane, the truth does not assuage the painful reality of what he is enduring…the wrath of God, the punishment for our sin. He suffers a pain far worse than physical death - separation from His Father. All so we can be reconciled to Him.

We see the immediate, tangible impact of his sacrifice (v. 51-52):

1. The curtain of the temple is torn in two, from top to bottom. This refers to the finely woven curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the temple. Priests were allowed in the Holy Place regularly, but only once a year could the high priest pass through the inner curtain into the immediate presence of God (Ex. 26:33–35; Lev. 16:2). The curtain was both a literal and figurative symbol of our inability to enter God’s presence because of our sin. Miraculously, that barrier is removed and His presence is made available to us all. 
2. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. Throughout the Scriptures, earthquakes are a sign of God’s presence and power (1 Samuel 14:15, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Psalm 68:7-8). God is on the move and the earth itself is shaken in His wake. 
3. The tombs were opened. This too echoes the Old Testament visions of Ezekiel whose vivid vision of dry bones coming to life can be found in chapter 37 of his book and Isaiah 26:19. While this may seem like a shocking and bizarre statement, there’s no reason to believe that Matthew intends for this to be any less literal than the other two miracles described. In fact, he references that these resurrected saints appear to many. In other words, ‘there are other witnesses if you don’t believe me’. That said, we’re not given any further detail, likely because to Matthew this is a footnote to the real headline here. All of these things are simply signs of something greater which is that, ‘Truly this was the son of God!’ (v. 54). 

Each of these signs are meant to give us hope. They are physical symbols of the new covenant that has been initiated with the suffering of Christ and will be sealed with his victory over death. Our all-powerful God has made a way for reconciliation and resurrection. The price of sin has been paid and all things are being made new!

Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16

• What in this passage did the Spirit bring to light for you?
• What are you going to do in your life  to respond to this passage?

Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers.  Use the acronym ACTS.

Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.