The End of Jesus
None of the Gospel writers spend much time describing the actual crucifixion of Jesus. There are very few gory details, though crucifixion was brutal, shameful, and excruciating. Two details almost all the writers include are the darkening of the day and the tearing of the temple curtain. Both carry a great deal of theological weight, helping us to understand exactly what is happening in the final moments before Jesus lets go of his life. The darkness symbolizes that God's judgement against evil is falling on Jesus - the great and terrible day of the Lord has come, but to God's Son and not to us. The torn curtain symbolizes the end of all that has separated us from God and opening of access to his presence - we are no longer separated from God, but welcomed to draw near.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Read Luke 23:44-56
What does Luke seem to be emphasizing? How do the people respond to the death of Jesus?
Read Joel 2:31, Amos 8:9, & Zephaniah 1:15. What do you notice? How does this connect to Luke's statement about the darkness?
Read Hebrews 10:11-18. What does the torn curtain symbolize?
If all this is true - God's judgment has fallen on his Son, and full access to God has opened up - what ought to be our response?
April 2, 2023 - Steve Hart