Matthew 27:51-56 (ESV)

2. Matthew 27:51-56 (ESV) And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

3. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

4. and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

5. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

6. There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him,

7. among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

8. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:51, ESV

9. Events Part I By showing us the events that occurred after Jesus’ death, it informs us of His uniqueness There are two curtains at the time The first separated the court from the holy place It was 80 feet high according to Josephus There was also another curtain This one separated the holy place from the most holy place This curtain was 60 feet high and 30 feet wide We are unsure which curtain was ripped Though it seems likely that it was the inner curtain (see Hebrews 9:3 esp) as it has greater symbolism between God and the world

10. Events Part I (2) When we see that the curtain is ripped from top to bottom it implies God does the ripping God being Higher, ripping it lower We also learn that there is an earthquake that occurs This is, perhaps, foreshadowing what is going to occur in the preceding verses

11. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, [53] and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-23, ESV

12. Events Part II There is much to consider with these verses First, it is easy to conclude that the earth quake causes the tombs to open However, it is possible that the earth quake and the tombs opening are separate events Either way, the tombs are opened Second, who are the saints Most conclude that they were Old Testament and intertestamental saints It is also likely that they have resurrected bodies similar to Jesus, hence they do not die again as Lazarus did

13. Events Part II (2) This, however, leads us to our third point The saints do not come out until after “His resurrection” If verse 51 and 52 go together, then it would seem that they were resurrected then waited to go to the city after Jesus was resurrected on the third day If, however, they do not go together, then it implies that they were resurrected after Jesus Why does Matthew place it here? Most likely because it would not flow with what Matthew is trying to tell us in chapter 28, also, it reminds us of the significance of Jesus’ death which is currently being featured

14. Events Part II (3) All of these events are connected The temple veil, the earth quake, and the resurrected saints They all lead back to Jesus giving up His spirit Hence, they all go back to Jesus’ death

15. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54, ESV

16. Reality of Jesus We then have this moment with the centurions who are guarding Jesus When we consider the darkness, the earthquake they come to a realization that Jesus really was the Son of God Being Gentiles it is doubtful that they understood Jesus to be the Son of God as the Jews and we Christians do now Still, it is telling that these Gentiles would recognize something so significant as this In Matthew, only God the Father (3:13-17), the Devil and demons (4:1-11, 8:29), and the disciples (14:33, 16:16) have recognized Jesus as the Son of God Now, we find that the Gentiles recognize, whether they know it’s depth or not, Jesus is the Son of God

17. There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Matthew 27:55-56, ESV

18. Other Disciples There were other disciples of Jesus other than the 12 Now Matthew focuses on the women disciples of Jesus These were Galilean followers of Jesus Probably among those who celebrated Jesus going into Jerusalem (21:1-11) These women ministered to Jesus, probably during His Galilean ministry, as well as on the way to Jerusalem and during the Passion Week

19. Three Women Mary Magdalene Luke 8:2 informs us Jesus cast out 7 demons from her She then ministers during Jesus’ Galilean ministry Mary the mother of James and Joseph This may be Jesus’ own mother We know James was a half brother of Jesus, and eventually becomes a pillar for the Jerusalem Church (Acts 15:13-21) and a martyr for Christ in the temple If not, she could be the mother of the other James, as we find in Mark 15:40 that she is the mother of James the Younger and Joses (the younger being a way to distinguish this James from James the brother of John)

20. Three Women (2) The Mother of the sons of Zebedee We already found out she was accompanying Jesus to Jerusalem from Matthew 20:20-28 First it reminds us that these women were behind the scenes fulfilling their roles willingly Second, while the 12 disciples were specially chosen by Jesus, He still had other disciples which consisted of men and women Third, while the men swore to stay with Jesus and die with Him, it is the women who actually remain (26:30-35 Also, one woman will be blessed for her waiting, as Mary Magdalene will be the first to encounter the risen Christ

21. Final Points Fulfill Your Ministry We find in these verses these women who ministered to Jesus and the 12 Yet we find this to be the first time they are mentioned in Matthew We are all called to ministry When we come together to minister to one another in some way then you have a congregation or a church This, however, does not mean that all ministries are the same One might minister to us in this congregation by doing some for 50 years and receive little to no thanks or appreciation Then, one might preach or teach and receive appreciation every week

22. Final Points Fulfill Your Ministry (2) Is one more important than the other? In some sense among the congregation yes Yet, that is not the focus is it? Instead, the focus is pleasing our Father in heaven Because of this, both ministries are equally important to God because both seek to honor Him The point? Fulfill your ministry that God has called you to Whether it be passing out bulletins, prayer cards, prayer chain, encourager, helping those in need, offering, etc. Whatever God has called you to minister to His people, do it not for fame, nor renown, but for God

23. Final Points Fulfill Your Ministry (3) These women did not minister to Jesus for the fame or glory, but because they repented and had faith in Him Be encouraged, then, to fulfill your ministry Be encouraged knowing that God knows and watches your faithfulness, even when few others seem to notice

24. Final Points Why the Cross? Sin We have looked at the history and how God had planned the cross from the beginning We also touched slightly on atonement Yet, in order for us to understand today’s text it will be necessary for us to grasp the human condition Humanity was originally created in God’s image (Genesis 1-2) Humanity, however, fell into sin (Gen 3) and because of this our natures themselves are tainted by it Eventually, however, God called a people for Himself and gave them a Law to follow (see Genesis 12-Malachi ), when they failed to follow the Law they fell into sin (see…Old Testament/Romans)

25. Final Points Why the Cross? Sin (2) This, then, is sin: Living in a way which is disobedient from the will of God, and we can know the will of God through the Spirit of God in us and through the Scriptures A few lifestyles considered sinful by the Law Having other gods before God, Idolatry, taking the Lord’s name in vain, Not keeping the Sabbath, not honoring your father and mother, murdering, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, coveting your neighbors possessions(Exodus 20:1-21), sexual immorality (Incest, Bestiality, Homosexuality…see Leviticus 18-20)

26. Final Points Why the Cross? Sin (3) We want to consider that these sins have different effects Lying or stealing from your spouse would be quite different than committing adultery However, all sin is worthy of punishment because God is a righteous and holy God (Romans 3) So we recognize that all sin is atrocious to God Then we must recognize that we have all sinned If I were to ask how many of you broke one of the ten commandments, I’m sure everyone’s hand would raise It is telling isn’t it? Not one of us could keep our hands down when this question is asked

27. Final Points Why the Cross? Sin (4) We also want to consider that sin is not just personal, but it is also spatial Consider Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement It was the one day of the year the High Priest could enter the holy of holies, and the reason for doing this was because of the peoples sin (Leviticus 16:16) Not only does sin stain us, but it can stain things around us also

28. Final Points Why the Cross? Sin (5) When one did not follow the Law, and one did not sacrifice for sins, then that person would be an enemy of God We find this occur in the prophets So this is the answer to the question, “Why the cross?” Because we are sinners Even when we try our hardest our best deeds are as filthy rags before our righteous and holy God (Isaiah 64:6) Why the cross? Because we are worthy of the wrath of a holy and righteous God

29. Final Points Why the Cross? Atonement It is necessary to see ourselves in this light to understand the word, “Atonement” The Law not only informs us how to live rightly, but also how to atone for our mistakes Sacrifice reminds us how serious sin is, that it comes with a cost God sent His Son to die on the cross as a sacrifice Propitiation means when the sword is above our heads, Jesus takes our place (See Romans 3:25, Hebrews 2:17, I John 2:2, 4:10) Likewise He provides expiation for our sins (He makes our stains white as snow) “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” –I Peter 2:24, ESV

30. Final Points Why the Cross? Atonement (2) What then becomes of sacrifice? Jesus’ blood is enough to cover all the requirements of the sacrificial Law (see Hebrews, esp. 9:11-28) It is His sacrifice which ends all sacrifices This is what we see today when the veil is torn This means that the temple age is over No longer will there be a veil, for God has made a way for us through the blood of Jesus Christ It also means that the sacrificial system is no more Jesus’ blood is the ultimate atonement for our sins

31. Final Points Why the Cross? Atonement (3) We are atoned through the death of Jesus Just as the Day of Atonement allowed the High Priest to walk through the veil for the people So now Jesus’ death allows us to walk through the veil and dwell with our God All of this is happening on the cross All of this is happening so God may be glorified through salvation His death is harrowing because it reminds us that the only way for salvation was through the death of God’s own Son It also reminds us of the great Love of God for those who are in Christ Jesus

32. Final Points The Gospel Does any of this seem impractical to you? Does any of this effect your daily life? Can you see the repercussions? God Himself has made a way for us to live with Him in peace and love We could go on for decades with this one topic We could go on for a century, every day for a century, looking at this Gospel Is anything more important to your life than this? Can anything truly compare to this message? Drop everything and consider the ramifications of Jesus’ blood

33. Final Points The Gospel (2) You were once a slave of sin, and God ransomed you through Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:28, I Timothy 2:6, I Peter 1:18-19) You were once dead in sin, unable to do anything but sin, and God gave you life through Jesus Christ (Romans 3, Ephesians 2:1-10) You were once an enemy of God, now you are a child of God (Romans 5:10, 8:16) Consider the ramifications of the cross!

34. Final Points The Gospel (3) This is the kind of sermon we are warned about “Stop! Don’t preach on this! It is too hard! We can’t handle it!” “We can’t preach like the Whitefield or the Wesley's because their generation was stronger, yet they couldn’t handle it either!” Once John Wesley preached and many of those listening were lying unconscious on the ground because of the revelation of God concerning their sin We will never be a people strong enough to handle all the Gospel, we will never be a people who do not hear of our sin and the wrath of God and not quake

35. Final Points The Gospel (4) This is the kind of sermon we are warned about “Stop! Don’t preach on this! It is too hard! We can’t handle it!” “We can’t preach like the Whitefield or the Wesley's because their generation was stronger, yet they couldn’t handle it either!” Once John Wesley preached and many of those listening were lying unconscious on the ground because of the revelation of God concerning their sin

36. Final Points The Gospel (4) We will never be a people strong enough to handle all the Gospel, we will never be a people who do not hear of our sin and the wrath of God and not quake Yet, this is where we find true life This is where we find eternal love Nothing is more practical, nothing is more pragmatic, than Jesus Christ and His blood shed for us