May 7, 2025 - Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭45, 50‬-‭51

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit…And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:45, 50-51 ESV

Jesus, we thank you so much for dying for us. What a remarkable gift you have given us through your death. It is heartbreaking to think of all that you endured for us. I think about the angels and creatures of heaven watching all that happened as you came to earth, grew up, started walking in your mission, and then walked the path that led to your death. They could see the bigger picture. They fully knew what you were laying down to come to earth. They knew you in all your glory and they watched you being born in a stable and living in the confines of being a human. Then they watched you be tortured and die on a cross. What a different perspective they had to your life on earth and your death.

Another perspective is how your creation saw it. We do get a small glimpse in this verse of how the earth responded. You created the earth, and it bows to your authority. We see in this verse how even the earth mourned your torture and death. The sun went dark as if it couldn’t watch and was honoring your great act of love. When you yielded your spirit and died, it says that the earth shook, and the rocks split. The earth cried out and mourned your death. If only we humans would grasp the significance of what you did for us, and honor you for it.

Lord, don’t let that be the case for us. Help us understand the full meaning of the greatest act of love ever committed. Don’t let your death be just another hope filled story, but let it truly transform our lives daily. Open our eyes and hearts to the fullness of it, so that we mourn your death like the earth. Let it truly and deeply change us.

In Jesus name, amen.