Luke 23:44-49 – Death
Several miracles go along with Jesus’ death. There is darkness over all the earth for three hours, and the temple curtain is torn in half. The darkness is used by God to get Jerusalem’s attention and make them think. The tearing of the temple curtain between the holy place and the holy of holies will fill every priest’s heart with amazement. But even more than that, it is a sign that now the way to the mercy seat of God (the top of the ark of the covenant), through the work of Jesus Christ, is open. We no longer need priests to enter the holy of holies once a year to ask for forgiveness of our sins. We can come before God ourselves, through prayer, and because of the blood of the Lamb of God, shed on our behalf, can ask for forgiveness.
Christ dies, not as we die when our hour is come, not because He is forced to, but voluntarily, and of His own free will. But He shows us the way in which death should be met by all of God’s children. We should not be afraid of death, but wait for it with calmness and patience, and believe that when our body fails our soul will be in good keeping.
The Roman officer is convinced that he has crucified an innocent person. The crowds feel their conscience prick them at the thought that they have helped in doing something terribly wrong. With guilty consciences they leave Calvary. We don’t know if their uneasy conscience leads them to seek salvation later. Thousands like them, when presented with the work of Christ, are troubled and uneasy. Let us pray that the guilt they feel drives them to seek the peace that only comes with salvation.
Questions
- What is the significance of the temple curtain being torn?
- How do we come before the mercy seat of God?
- What should our attitude be when faced with death?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.