The Curtain, The Tomb, The Centurion
Matthew 27:51-54
Main Idea: Jesus truly is the Son of God.
I. The Curtain (27:51a)
Matthew 27:51a: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Hebrews 10:19-23: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Through his death, Jesus welcomes us behind the curtain.
II. The Tombs (27:51b-53)
Matthew 27:51b–53: And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Jesus’ death brings life.
Ezekiel 37:1-5, 10-13: The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live… So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then he said to me, “…And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
Jesus came to make dead people alive through his death.
III. The Centurion (27:54)
Matthew 27:54: When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Jesus truly is the Son of God because he welcomes Centurions, people least likely to believe in him, to become adopted children of God through his death.
