3 Supernatural Signs at the Crucifixion of Jesus: Meaning and Miracles

We continue our daily meditations on the Lord Jesus' supernatural ministry. Today, we focus on three displays of God's power during the crucifixion of Christ:

The Divine Darkness and the Cup of Wrath

Matthew’s Gospel recounts the first supernatural event: “From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covered the entire land” (Matthew 27:45). Since Passover always occurs during a full moon, a solar eclipse was impossible at that time; even if it could occur, it wouldn't last three hours. This darkness symbolized divine judgment and displeasure with what happened at Calvary. Jesus endured God's wrath for sin during those critical three hours. That is why he cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Some scholars believe that the darkness served as a veil, concealing Christ’s suffering and vulnerability.

The Earthquake and the Resurrection of the Saints

The second supernatural phenomenon was a tremendous earthquake that occurred at Christ's death, causing tombs to open and the dead to rise:

⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split⁵²and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people (Matthew 27:51-53).

Jerusalem's rocky terrain offers limited soil for burials. Most tombs are either carved from the rock face or built above ground, then sealed with a slab, rock, or boulder. Could these grave coverings be the split rocks mentioned by the Gospel writer Matthew? Witnesses saw sealed tombs broken open, with holy men and women rising and walking around! We don't know who these figures were; only that they were righteous individuals who had died and been buried. I'll have to wait until I reach heaven to ask about this event.

The Tearing of the Temple Curtain: Access to God

The third supernatural event occurred in the temple. When Christ died, the temple curtain that separated God from man was torn in two from top to bottom, signaling a divine message. Many priests came to faith in Christ (Acts 6:7) after learning what happened at Calvary at 3 p.m., the traditional time for the communal sacrifice of lambs during Passover.

While thousands gathered in the temple courts for the ritual slaying of the Passover lambs, those ministering were shocked when invisible hands tore the temple curtain, a cloth as thick as a man's hand, right before their eyes. God tore the curtain to show both Jews and Gentiles that the way into His very presence was open to everyone. Jesus removed the barrier of sin that kept humanity from enjoying a relationship with God. He paid the penalty for our sins. "Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how far God will go for man's salvation" (H. C. Trumbull).

The Meaning of Calvary for You Today

The Gospel is the message of a Living Savior who died in our place so that we can know God. He took the punishment we deserved and nailed it to the cross. If we repent (change our minds and direction in life) and believe the Gospel (yield our lives and trust in Christ and His saving work), we will be saved (enjoying all the blessings of the covenant, including eternal life). Will you trust Him? Keith Thomas

Continue Your Journey…

If you found this meditation meaningful, there is much more to explore about the life of Jesus in The Gospel of Luke. When you get there, scroll down to study 63, The Crucifixion of Christ.

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