Death of Christ
83
“It is finished.”
John 19:30
. “Father, into Thy hands I commend
My spirit.”
Luke 23:46
.
A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with
a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast and
died.
The multitude about the cross stood paralyzed, and with bated
breath gazed upon the Saviour. Again darkness settled upon the earth,
and a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard. This was accom-
panied with a violent earthquake.
The people were shaken into heaps by the earthquake. The wildest
confusion and terror ensued. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were
rent asunder, and went crashing down into the plains below. Tombs
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were broken open, and many of the dead were cast out. Creation
seemed to be breaking into atoms. Priests, rulers, soldiers, and people,
mute with terror, were lying prostrate upon the ground.
At the time of the death of Christ, some of the priests were minis-
tering in the temple at Jerusalem. They felt the shock of the earthquake,
and at the same moment the vail of the temple, which separated the
holy from the most holy place was rent in twain from top to bottom by
the same bloodless hand that wrote the words of doom upon the walls
of Belshazzar’s palace. The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary
was no longer sacred. Never would the presence of God again over-
shadow that mercy seat. Never would the acceptance or displeasure of
God be manifested by the light or shadow in the precious stones in the
breastplate of the high priest.
Henceforth the blood of the offerings in the temple was of no value.
The Lamb of God, in dying, had become the sacrifice for the sins of
the world.
When Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, the new and living
way was thrown open to Jew and Gentile alike.
Angels rejoiced as the Saviour cried, “It is finished!” The great
plan of redemption was to be carried out. Through a life of obedience,
the sons of Adam might be exalted finally to the presence of God.
Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.
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