Creation Responds to the Killing of Her Creator

By Danny Saavedra

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’ Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”—Matthew 27:51–56 (NIV)

Over the past few days, we’ve been taking a deep dive into the crucifixion of Jesus. We examined Jesus’ interactions with the onlookers and the criminals on either side of Him, we learned the sky itself went dark as if night had fallen while Jesus was on the cross, and we saw what happened when Jesus “breathed His last” . . . the tearing from top to bottom of the veil in the temple that separated mankind from the very presence of God.

Today, we see this wasn’t the only thing that happened as Jesus died. We’re told “the earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and into the holy city and appeared to many people.”

What does this tell us? This massive earthquake shows us that nature itself was shaken by the death of the Son of God. Consider the words of Jesus as He entered Jerusalem a week before this moment: “I tell you . . . if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40 NIV). Consider also the words of God to Cain after he killed Abel: “Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10 NIV).

Men, including His disciples and followers, were silent, so the rocks, stained with the blood of the Lamb, cried out over the unjust death of their Creator! Of this moment, Charles Spurgeon said, “Men’s hearts did not respond to the agonizing cries of the dying Redeemer, but the rocks responded: the rocks were rent. He did not die for rocks; yet rocks were more tender than the hearts of men, for whom he shed his blood.”

We’re told tombs split open and many righteous dead rose from their graves and appeared to many. Can you imagine seeing this?! This is one of the strangest passages in the Gospel of Matthew. We aren’t given many details, and we don’t know who exactly was raised, aside from the fact they were people who trusted in the Lord and awaited the coming of the Messiah. John Gill wrote, “These were saints, and such as slept in Jesus; and of whom he is the first fruits that now rose; and not all, but many of them, as pledges of the future resurrection, and for the confirmation of Christ's, and the accomplishment of a prophecy in Isaiah 26:19.”

After this, a Roman centurion, someone totally outside of the spiritual covenant between God and Israel, who witnessed Jesus’ death confesses Him as God’s Son. We don’t know what this declaration of faith went on to produce in this man’s life, but his declaration significantly signals how Christ’s death would impact more than just the Jewish people. It would have a global impact on every tongue, tribe, and nation!

There’s one more thing to note here: Matthew tells us the death of Jesus was witnessed by the group of women who faithfully followed and supported Him throughout His ministry. These were the ones who sacrificially and joyfully served Jesus behind the scenes. They were devoted to Him in ways that others weren’t. Imagine the anguish they must have felt seeing someone they were so close to suffer and die so brutally!

Their presence is significant for us because it reminds us how the cross is a place of pathos. Christ’s crucifixion isn’t exclusive to our intellect. When you see the cross for what it is, you can’t help but be broken by it all. Something is wrong if we aren’t touched and affected in the uttermost part of our soul as we consider what Jesus experienced and endured for us. This doesn’t mean our faith is based on our emotions—it’s based on the facts of what God has done for us. Facts such as these inspire faith and feelings of the deepest degree.

Everything about the cross holds a special significance. May the Lord open our eyes to see!

Pause: Why do you think the death of Jesus had such a profound impact on nature and the world?

Practice: Charles Spurgeon wrote, “These first miracles wrought in connection with the death of Christ were typical of spiritual wonders that will be continued till he comes again—rocky hearts are rent, graves of sin are opened, those who have been dead in trespasses and sins, and buried in sepulchers of lust and evil, are quickened, and come out from among the dead, and go unto the holy city, the New Jerusalem.” Today, as you consider how the death of Jesus has rocked and opened your heart, and brought you to life, tell someone today about what He’s done for you!

Pray: Father, I thank You for the work of the cross. I cannot imagine the pain You must have felt watching Your Son suffer and die. Knowing this, the visceral reaction of Your creation does not shock me. But I know that “for the joy set before him he (Your Son Jesus) endured the cross, scorning its shame,” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) and is now seated at Your right hand, interceding on our behalf! I know that the glory His death and resurrection brought about was Your plan from before the foundations of the earth were laid. Thank You, Lord, for Your gift! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.