Lesson Three • Earthquake
Devotion #6: The Father’s Tear
Pastor Josh Yates
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:51–54
As you read the words describing what happened immediately as Jesus died for you and for me, what comes to mind? It can be very easy to read over this passage of Scripture because it seems as though it is just describing what happened while the main thing is that Jesus has died. You would not be wrong in reading it that way. Jesus’ death is the main thing you should be focusing on here.
However, you would miss something as well. Jesus had died. The Son of God, King of kings, Lord of lords, Messiah, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace was killed on a cruel cross. Sit with that for a minute. Seriously, take a few minutes and consider what happened to Jesus.
As I really think about this scene, my mind goes back to the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” As Jesus is dying and taking His last breath, the camera goes to a wider view into the heavens as though God the Father is viewing his Son dying. The camera gets a “fisheye” look and then we see a single tear falling from Heaven itself, from the eyes of the Father. As soon as that tear hits the Earth below, the very Earth itself trembles. It shakes. It tears apart. Rocks split. Tombs open.
It is as though the Earth itself feels the terror of what is happening. Its Creator has died. It shakes in horror. It shakes in sorrow. The creation mourns its Creator.
The Father sent Jesus to earth for this purpose. He was to die and pay the price that you and I could not pay. He would restore the relationship between us and Himself. Though a tear very well may have fallen from the eyes of the Father, Isaiah 53:10-11 says, “It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”
He was crushed for you and me. He gave His life so we can have life. It is a life that is full, rich, and free from sin. He gave it all so we could have a relationship with Him.
That should cause us to shake as the Earth did at Jesus’ death. It should cause us to mourn. It should cause us to tremble. It should cause us to rejoice. It should cause us to be forever grateful. It calls us to give our lives to Jesus and accept His free gift of eternal life. It calls us to live and share the Good News of Jesus with everyone we can.
The Earth shook at the death of Jesus. What is your response today?