Hi ,
I find this issue especially appropriate at this time of year when we celebrate Jesus Christ and why He came...
In a very interesting and pointed discourse recorded in John 8, Jesus makes a fascinating statement to the Jewish leaders, the "blind guides", in 8:28. He says, "When you have lifted up (crucified) the Son of Man (Jesus), then you will know that I am he...". OK, they
will know that He is someone specific, but who? They will know the He is the Christ, the Annointed One - the Jewish Messiah! This is what He had been claiming all along, but they refused to believe. Note, though, that Jesus says that they "WILL KNOW"! It will no longer be a matter of wondering or arguing about it. So, exactly what about Him being "lifted up" will make them know this? Think about this first... His whole ministry fulfilled the prophecies regarding what the Messiah
would do. Any of the Jewish leaders (who claimed, by the way, to know the Scriptures) would have seen the fulfillment of them, from His birth to His death.
Now, at the time of His death on the cross, look what happened! The events are recorded in detail in Matthew 27.
1) First, darkness came over the
whole land. Luke even says that the sun stopped shining! It was dark! This was no eclipse, which typically doesn't last long at all. This was darkness that lasted 3 hours!! What do you think the high priests were thinking now?!
2) Then, at the very moment of His death, the temple curtain was split from top to bottom. This is incredibly significant because it symolized the end of the old covenant. The Holy of
Holies was suddenly exposed! Jesus Himself is now the final sacrifice!
3) There was an earthquake. That, in and of itself, might not be anything significant, but this one was unusual in that the rocks split open. Throw in the timing of this event, added to the darkness and the torn veil, and you have some terribly horrified Jewish leaders!
4)
Finally, the tombs of many godly people were opened and they came to life. Not only that, but they went into the city and were seen by many others!
Did they need any more proof? They were about to get some....!
(Continued next week.)
