The Miracles of the Cross

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things (Luke 23:44-49).

The Spirit inspired Luke to record three supernatural events at Christ’s crucifixion. As maturing disciples, our testimony can be a growing reflection of the miracles of the cross.

The sun’s light was trounced. The true identity of the Son of God was affirmed by the literal defeat of daylight by the power of darkness. This was compelling confirmation of the sovereignty and divinity of Christ… “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). It is also an encouragement to true disciples in every age that Jesus Christ is willing and able to deliver us from all physical, emotional, and spiritual darkness… “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). As maturing disciples, we are called to walk in His light… “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). We are also exhorted to reflect His light to a dark world… “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Do we bring the light of Christ into the lives of those we touch each day?

The Temple’s curtain was torn. This curtain prevented access to the presence of God in the holiest place in the temple… “And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy” (Exodus 26:33). Only the High Priest could enter this Presence once a year, after some extensive purification rituals. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, provided once and for all atonement and purification for believers through His sacrifice at Calvary… “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22). Do we regularly take advantage of the new and living way provided by Christ, to build and nurture a growing intimacy with our Father?

The Centurion’s heart was transformed. The Spirit compelled Luke to record that the Centurion assigned to oversee the crucifixion of Christ declared… “Certainly this man was innocent!” The same Spirit inspired Matthew and Mark to write the centurion’s further exclamation… “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). There is clear evidence here of the amazing grace and infinite mercy of God. While so many others reviled Jesus, the chief Roman officer-in-charge of His execution was freed to see and believe that an innocent man was dying here for some other sin… “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). The centurion’s further declaration that Jesus was the Son of God provides evidence that the Spirit of God had taken up residence in his transformed heart… “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15). Does our daily profession confirm that our hearts have been transformed by the grace and mercy of Christ?

As we grow up into Christ, may our lives become a clearer reflection of…

The Miracles of the Cross.