Readings for today: Exodus 35:10-36:38, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalms 34:1-10, Proverbs 9:7-8
A professor of mine in seminary once shared a story with us about a Bible study he led on the Gospel of Matthew. For many months, they walked through the gospel verse by verse. Most of the people in the room were adults who came eager to learn but there was one young teenager who basically fell asleep each class. His mom made him come each week so he would slouch in his chair in the back of the class totally disengaged. Or so it appeared. As they neared the end of the class, my professor was describing what happened at the death of Jesus. In particular, he wanted to know what people thought the significance was of the Temple curtain ripping in two. Most of the discussion centered on the traditional interpretation that the death of Jesus gives us free access to God. It was at this point that my professor noticed the young man sitting up in his chair with his hand raised. He called on him and asked him what he thought. The young man said, “I think you have it all wrong. I think the Temple curtain tearing in two means God now has free access to us. All the barriers have come down. God’s now on the loose...and the world will never be the same.” Amazing.
The death of Jesus changes everything. Not only is the Temple curtain torn in two but the earth itself shakes. Rocks shatter. The sun goes dark. Tombs open. The dead rise. The natural order of things is turned upside down. Things will never again be the same. And this makes perfect sense when one steps back to think about it. The death of Jesus represents the final payment for human sin. Jesus made atonement for the sins of the entire world according to 1 John 2:2. His suffering satisfies the wrath and judgment of God that had been building since the Fall. Now that the perfect Lamb of God was slain, a new situation is created. A new opportunity. A new creation. With the advent of the new creation, we should expect the old creation to react violently as it enters its death throes. Thus, the signs and wonders that accompany Jesus’ last breath.
What is our response to the universe-altering, world-changing, history-transforming death of Jesus? Hopefully we, like the Roman centurion, respond in faith. “Truly this was the Son of God!” We look in awe and wonder at what God has done. The Creator dying for His creation. The Lord giving up His very life for His servants. God sacrificing everything to save those whom He so dearly loves.
Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 28, Psalms 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10