TEXT: Matthew 27:45-54 (especially v. 540)
READING: Isaiah 54:1-17
SUBJ: The Heavenly confirmation to Christ and for the sakes of the people of the glory of God in and through Christ our Lord and His Gospel promise to draw all to Himself.
SUBJ: Occurrences at the death of Christ and especially the effect that was observed on the Roman Centurion that stood by.
AIM: That we should be the more given to meditating on Christ and Him crucified with special emphasis on some of the events that occurred and our suffering substitute.
INTR: It is that season of the year in which efforts are made to direct attention to the resurrection of our Lord. We should always do so in that the resurrection of our Lord is essential to the Gospel. It Christ be not raised then all is in vain.
1. In reading the four Gospels we are able to construct a composite picture of the events that occurred.
a. This would include the cry of forgiveness, and the Cry of salvation and His Spirit commended from Luke.
b. His mother is given into the care of John, and that He thirsted, and the declaration that it is finished from John.
c. His cry of anguish from Matthew and Mark.
2. It is noteworthy that the events surrounding the cross had an effect on some that stood by to the point that it is recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, notably the Roman Centurion.
3. We will endeavor to consider the effects on those around Him as they experienced strange things indeed.
THESIS: We have often looked to and referred to the crucifixion of Christ Jesus our Lord. Perhaps so much so that we have become complacent in our reflections on the cross. In noting the effect here on the antagonists standing by we might seek to be the more properly affected by the scenes of Calvary.
I. What he saw and why he saw it. (vv. 47-53)
1. He had seen a dying man cry out with supernatural strength (v. 46).
1) After having been horribly tortured and humiliated.
2) A cry heard by this man (the centurion) but ridiculed by others.
3) They all heard the cry of an agonized soul. And they would hear it again in all He said after that. (v. 50).
2. The veil in the Temple was rent in two. This signified the end of the Old Testament Law under which that access was forbidden.
3. The very ground on which they were standing was quaking under their feet and we remember that the whole creation groans and travails in objection to all that is going on. (Romans 8:22).
4. The rocks were rent as if to cry out in acknowledgment of what had occurred. Note what was said at the triumphant entry.
5. Consider the prophecy: Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. (Luke 23:30). And see also: And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:16-17).
6. Graves opened and the bodies of dead saints which slept arose and were recognized?
II. How it affected the centurion (v. 54).
1. Something or rather someone had awakened him to the reality of Who it was hanging there on the central cross.
1) All men have a sense of the being and existence of God and may be made aware of His presence.
2) There is debate as to how much this man had heard and what evoked this observation.
3) Was he regenerated? He is not heard from again.
4) He may have been the one to confirm that Jesus was dead.
2. He may have been suffering remorse: Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. (Luke 23:47-48).
1) We note the sign of remorse in smiting their breasts. (Some say that they fell to the ground.
2) And they left the scene immediately.
III. How should we be affected as we approach the cross?
1. C. H. Spurgeon said that he never saw the awfulness of his sin until he saw them on Christ.
2. If this man was so affected by what he witnessed, how much do we by faith stand in awe of these things. “O to be suitably affected in consideration of the Christ who died for me.”
3. “Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me. / Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me.”
3 What language shall I borrow
1 O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.
2 What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve Thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
for this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for Thee.
4 Be near when I am dying,
O show Thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Thee shall never move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely in Thy love.
