Friday Thought – October 28, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ -- which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’ When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:45-54)

Jesus lived uniquely: He spoke with authority. He accepted worship as God. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He exercised power over nature. In many ways, Jesus lived uniquely.

Jesus also died uniquely:

The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. It was a symbol to say that access to God had been opened to man. Man did not rip the curtain from bottom to top to force his way in, God ripped it from the top down to allow man into His presence.

An earthquake shook the world. This was the first death that caused an earthquake (and the last)! His death shook the very foundations of the world.

Tombs of some of the dead opened and they came out alive. The way to life, eternal life, had been opened by Jesus’ death. These were the first of many who would be raised to eternal life through His death -- including you and me.

Even the soldier at the cross knew there was something powerful about Jesus.

The most unique thing about His death was yet to come. In just a few days His death would be proven temporary!

His, by Grace, Steve