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The King In The Tomb - Matthew 27:45-66 Series
Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 9, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: JESUS’ death was not "THE END"; it was the fulfillment of Prophecy, the Payment for sin, and the Prelude to VICTORY. The Cross and the Tomb Reveal the KING’s Divine Authority, Sacrificial Love, and THE Unstoppable Plan of GOD the FATHER.
2025.11.09. Sermon Notes. THE KING IN THE TOMB - MATTHEW 27:45-66
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Jesus’ death was not the end; it was the fulfillment of prophecy, the payment for sin, and the prelude to victory. The cross and the tomb reveal the King’s divine authority, sacrificial love, and the unstoppable plan of God.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 27:45-66, Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 53:4-9, John 10:18, John 19:30, John 19:38-42, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 10:19-22, Ephesians 2:13-18, Matthew 28:1-6, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 8:31-39, Revelation 1:18
KEY WORD/TOPIC
Darkness, Forsaken, Veil, Earthquake, Faithful, Tomb, Guard, Seal, Redemption, Access, Resurrection, Victory.
I. THE DARKNESS AND THE CRY (vv. 45-50)
The Death of Jesus
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
KEY VERSE: 45-46 “Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land... My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
TEACHING POINTS
From noon to 3 p.m., supernatural darkness fell; creation itself mourning the death of the Creator. Jesus’ cry, quoting Psalm 22:1, reveals the deep agony of bearing the world’s sin. In that moment, the perfect fellowship between Father and Son was interrupted as Christ took upon Himself the punishment for mankind’s rebellion.
When He cried out again and “yielded up His spirit,” it was not defeat, it was deliberate. He laid down His life willingly (John 10:18).
John 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
REFLECTIONS:
• Have I truly grasped the weight of what my sin cost Jesus?
• Jesus endured separation so that I might never be separated from God. Am I living in that freedom and gratitude?
• Darkness may surround us, but the Light of the World has conquered it.
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE:
Psalms 22:1-18
1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.
11 Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
