Matthew 27:45-56 – The Greatest Death in the World
Shortly before His death Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” He is expressing the real pressure on His soul of the enormous burden of a world’s sins. These words show how truly and literally He is our substitute, is made sin, and a curse for us, and endures God’s righteous anger against a world’s sin in His own person. At that dreadful moment, the iniquity of us all is laid upon Him to the uttermost.
There never is a last breath drawn, of such importance as this. There never is an event on which so much depends. That death discharges in full the mighty debt which sinners owe to God, and throws open the door of life to every believer. That death satisfies the righteous claims of God’s holy law, and enables God to be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. That death is no mere example of self-sacrifice, but a complete atonement and propitiation for man’s sin. That death solves the hard problem, how God can be perfectly holy, and yet perfectly merciful. It is a complete victory over Satan. It proves the sinfulness of sin, when it needs such a sacrifice to atone for it. It proves the love of God to sinners, when He sends His own Son to make the atonement.
The curtain which separates the holy of holies from the rest of the temple, and through which the high priest alone might pass, is split from top to bottom. It is a sign that there is no more need of an earthly high priest, and a mercy seat, and a sprinkling of blood, and an offering up of incense, and a day of atonement. The true High Priest has appeared. The true Lamb of God has been slain. All are to be invited now to draw near to God with boldness, and approach Him with confidence, by faith in Jesus. A door is thrown open, and a way of life set before the whole world.
Questions
- Why was Jesus’ death so important?
- Why was the temple curtain torn?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that we can come to God through Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.