Five Miracles From The Cross

Five Miracles from the Cross

"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour…, And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matthew 27:45-53 (KJV)

Intro: There were Five Miracles that occurred while Jesus was being crucified on the cross.

1. Darkness at midday vs. 45

2. Rending of the veil of the Temple vs. 51

3. Quaking of the earth vs. 51

4. Opening of the graves vs. 52

5. Coming forth of the bodies of the saints after the resurrection of Christ vs. 53

All of these miracles are part of God’s plan and were designed to build upon and add to the saving work of Jesus Christ. These miracles drew humankind closer to Christ and closer to “atonement” with God.

We find the first of the Five Miracles From the Cross in Matthew 27:45

I. Darkness at midday vs. 45

The King James Bible reads this way...

"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."

Or I would like to offer a translation that is perhaps closer to the original Greek.

"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land (earth) until the ninth hour," Luke 23:44 (NIV)

"for the sun stopped shining." Luke 23:45 (NIV)

Notice two things 1. The darkness came over the whole earth. 2. The sun stopped shining.

I am convinced that the original Greek is strong in its meaning. The original Greek does not merely say..., the sun was darkened. Nor does it simply say the sun's light failing. But it says the sun itself failing. The sun itself failed. THE SUN STOPPED SHINING!

This can mean but one thing. The entire earth (and entire solar system for that matter) was cast into utter darkness. This is no ordinary eclipse…, This is a miracle from the cross.

So with this first miracle God was speaking..., not just to those who had gathered on Calvary Hill but the message of God went beyond the rim of Calvary, beyond the city of Jerusalem..., to people everywhere around the entire globe...the world was cast into utter darkness.

Now, Christ had already hung upon the cross for three hours before the darkness fell.

The first three hours are filled with activity, the movement of people, the sound of voices.

But with the darkness came silence. All activity ceased. Movement came to an abrupt halt. The sound of voices and mockery are heard no more.

During these first 3 hours. the Chief Priest were busy complaining about the superscription over the cross which read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Someone had taken a board or piece of sheaf and wrote, "This is the King of the Jews." They had nailed it to the top of the cross which Jesus hung on. The chief priest saw it. They did not want any glory or honor given to this man. They wanted it changed. They wanted it re-written to say, “He CLAIMS TO BE the King of the Jews."

The Chief Priest storm off to the governor's palace murmuring and passing their complaints..., screaming objections in out-rage.

During the first 3 hours on the cross…, the soldiers were busy, dividing up the garments of the Crucified One, busy casting lots for His robe.

The multitude of people had their part also, for in verse 39 we read, "And they that passed by reviled him, hurling insults...wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it up again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, let him come down from the cross." They mocked as he suffered in agony.

Then suddenly the scene changed completely. Suddenly the voices were stilled. The chief priest, the soldiers, the mocking crowd of people..., were all silenced by the darkness.., a strange…, unnatural darkness…, miraculous darkness…, that had fallen over the whole earth.

My friends I urge each of you to listen as we see the plague of darkness fall upon Calvary's Hill, And let our hearts hear, there is NOT A SOUND IN ALL THE EARTH that can be heard…, except for the shedding of the Saviors Blood, as it falls drop by drop upon the earth. He shed his blood for your sins and mine. Can you hear the drops of blood falling for you?

Second verses 50 and 51 "Jesus when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain for the top to the bottom." Here we find the SECOND Miracle From The Cross...