Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Miracles of the Cross

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 is the definition of the Gospel. …that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. – 1 Cor. 15:3-4. What is the Gospel message? It is that Jesus came & died for our sins. Romans 5:8 says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ died on the Cross when we were saying, “I don’t want You!”

There are 5 miracles of the Cross. They are found in Matthew 27:45-56.

(1) The supernatural power of “turning off the lights.” From the 6th hour until the 9th hour darkness come over all the land. – Matt. 27:45. Was it that the sun had sympathy for its Creator. If people were going to “turn off” the Light of the world, then maybe the sun was going to show the people what darkness really is…


(2) The tearing of the curtain. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. – Matt. 27:51a. The curtain was to keep men out of the presence of God. People won’t be right with God by just “keeping the law” now, but thru a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The tearing of the curtain gives us an open invitation to come into the presence of God (Heb. 10:19.)

(3) The earth shook & rocks split. …the earth shook & the rocks split. – Matt. 27:51b. Jesus told the Pharisees that if His disciples didn’t tell the world about Him then the stones will cry out (Luke 19:40.) Have you noticed that only one disciple came to His crucifixion? Peter was the only one who spoke out and/or did anything in His defense? Peter cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest (Matt. 26:51.) Will you be faithful in Christ in everything?

(4) The graves opened. The tombs broke open & the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. – Matt. 27:52.

(5) A man was saved. When the centurion…were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake & all that had happened…exclaimed “surely He was the Son of God. – Matt. 27:54. The greatest miracle is the salvation of souls.

There was a man who was a drunk for 20 years. His family was hurt by him, they were in debt by his habit & then one he came to know the Lord. One of his friends asked him if Jesus really turned water into wine? The man said, “I don’t know, but what I do know is the liquor turned into furniture. Beer turned into clothes for my family. Whiskey turned into money to pay off my debts.” What has God done for you? What miracle has He done for you? Remember the greatest miracle of all is the salvation of souls.

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