Go! And Witness the Power of the Torn Veil - Matthew 27:51–53 (NLT)
Introduction: The Day Everything Changed
There are moments in history that change everything—days when the world is never the same again. Think of 9/11. Think of the fall of the Berlin Wall. But above every moment in human history, there is one that stands supreme: the day Jesus Christ was crucified.
On that dark Friday, the sky turned black, the earth shook, and a Roman centurion cried out, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54 NLT). But something else happened that is often overlooked—something that proclaimed the Gospel without a single word being spoken.
Matthew 27:51–53 (NLT): "At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people."
Matthew records three supernatural signs at the moment of Christ’s death:
The tearing of the Temple veil.
The earthquake and splitting of rocks.
The resurrection of many holy ones.
Let’s explore what each means, starting with the veil.
1. The Torn Veil: God’s Presence Made Accessible
The veil in the Temple separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). Only the High Priest could pass beyond it, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2, 34).
The Greek word for “curtain” is katapetasma (?atap?tasµa), meaning “that which is spread down,” a heavy barrier designed to keep sinful humanity away from God’s holy presence.
But notice: the veil was torn from top to bottom—not from bottom to top. This was God’s action, not man’s. It was God saying, “Through the blood of My Son, the way is now open.”
Hebrews 10:19–20 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place."
We no longer need priests, rituals, or sacrifices to draw near to God. Christ Himself is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16). In a world where people chase experiences, self-help, or religious rules to find peace, the Gospel declares: “Jesus is enough!”
Charles Stanley once said, “The cross is the central event in history; everything before it points to it, and everything after flows from it.”
When the veil tore, history bent around the cross. Nothing stands between you and God except your willingness to come.
2. The Earthquake: Creation Responds to the Creator
"The earth shook, rocks split apart…"
Throughout Scripture, earthquakes often signify divine intervention—Mount Sinai shook when God gave the Law (Exodus 19:18). But here, the earth shakes because the Giver of the Law has just fulfilled it.
The Greek word seismos (se?sµ??) means “a shaking, a commotion.” Creation itself was groaning as the Son of God died (Romans 8:22).
Haggai 2:6–7 (NLT): "For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."
God still shakes things today—our comfort, our idols, our false securities—to draw our attention to Him. The question is: when He shakes your world, do you run from Him or to Him?
Imagine a snow globe. It looks calm and still—until you shake it. Suddenly, everything moves. Some of you are in a season where your life feels like a snow globe that God has shaken. The cross tells us: He shakes not to destroy you but to awaken you.
Tim Keller wrote, “Sometimes God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”
I see this in the earthquake: the ground broke so that the grave could be broken.
3. The Open Tombs: Death Defeated
"…and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead."
This is one of Scripture’s most mysterious moments. These saints were not raised until after Jesus’ resurrection (v.53), meaning His victory over death was the key that opened their graves.
The Greek term for “raised” is egeiro (??e???), meaning “to awaken, to rouse from sleep.” Death was not their end—it was only their sleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20–22 (NLT): "But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life."
In a culture obsessed with prolonging life and fearing death, this passage shouts: Death has lost its sting! (1 Corinthians 15:55). The grave is not the end for those in Christ.
D.L. Moody once said, “One day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now.”
John Piper says, “The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God.”
I remind you: the resurrection is not just a future event—it is a present reality when you belong to Jesus.
The Gospel Call: Christ’s Death and Resurrection
At the cross:
Sin was paid for. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The way to God was opened. (John 14:6)
Death was defeated. (Hebrews 2:14–15)
But this victory is not automatic. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT)
And “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)
You must repent—turn from sin—and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Practical Application:
If you feel far from God—the veil is torn. Come to Him through Christ.
If your world is shaking—trust the One who holds it all together.
If you fear death—remember, the grave is not your end when Christ is your Lord.
The cross demands a response. You cannot be neutral.
Call to Action:
Will you go on living as though the veil is still up?
Or will you step into the Most Holy Place by faith?
Today, Christ calls you to repent, believe, and receive His gift of eternal life.
If you are already a believer—then “Go! And…” tell the world that the veil is torn, the grave is empty, and the King is alive!
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never placed your trust in Jesus, do so today.
Pray: “Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I believe You died for me, and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and Saviour. Come into my life, forgive me, and make me Yours. Amen.”
Benediction:
“Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep—equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21 NLT)
