While Jesus was hanging on the cross, darkness came over the whole land from noon to 3 p.m. Even the sun seemed to turn its face from the injustice of sinful humanity. Jesus breathed his last with a loud cry, committing his spirit to his loving Father. His death was not a defeat or tragedy, but a glorious victory over sin and death, a victory of God's love over Satan's hatred. The curtain of the temple blocked sinful men to come to the presence of the holy God. Now that curtain was torn in two. Jesus' shed blood opened ‘a new and living way' for all sinners to go to God, be forgiven and have peace with God. Seeing what had happened, even the centurion, a hardened Gentile, praised God and testified, "Surely this was a righteous man." Those women loyal to Jesus stood at a distance, watching all these things.

Joseph, a member of the council, courageously went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. It was an act of courageous faith. In this way he identified himself as a follower of Jesus. He took down Jesus' body from the cross, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed in a new tomb cut in the rock. Jesus was buried and now the stage was set for his glorious resurrection.


Application: Lord, thank you for opening the way into the presence of God for me and all sinners. Help me live and die victoriously like Jesus.
One Word: A new and living way to God