What four miracles happened while Jesus hung on the cross? by Rev. Ronald O. McCants
Jan 01, 2016
Four miracles while Jesus Hung on the Cross
Miracle Number 1: Darkness
Miracle Number 2: Temple Curtains Torn
Miracle Number 3: Earth Quake
Miracle Number 4: Tombs Opened
Matthew 27:45 – First Miracle
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
• Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. KJV
• The Jews divided their day into twelve hours, beginning to count at sunrise.
God the Father Turns His Head
God was furnishing dignity to the suffering of his dying Son and causing the elements to sympathize with his pains.
Sins darkest hour.
Matthew 27:51 – Second Miracle
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Hebrews 9:11-14
A tabernacle was set up. .. the first room was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.. the high priest entered once a year with blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people.
Hebrews 9:2-6
• A tabernacle was set up. .. the first room was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.. the high priest entered once a year with blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people.
• Christ cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death.
Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise.
Matthew 27:51b – Third Miracle
• The earth shook, the rocks split
• … and the earth did quake, and the rocks were split
• John Wesley - "There was a general earthquake through the whole globe."
Interpretation
An indication of the divine anger and resentment sin; see Psalm 18:7
A shaking and removing of the Jewish church state and ordinances, Hebrews 12:26.
And the rocks split - when hearts, as hard as rocks, were broke in pieces, stony hearts taken away, and hearts of flesh given.
Matthew 27:52-53 – Fourth Miracle
52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
(This is not TV’s Walking Dead)
And the graves were
opened,....
Which were near the city
of Jerusalem: this was a
proof of Christ's power
over death and the grave.
In his hands are the keys
of hell and death:
1 Thessalonians 4:14
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
Matthew 27:54
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!”