E-pistle for November 13, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation November 13, 2009
Miracles At The Crucifixion
(Matthew 27:1-66)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus was tried before Pilate; Judas hanged himself, vv. 1-27.
2. Roman soldiers mocked Jesus and nailed Him to a cross, vv. 28-44.
3. Jesus suffered and died the agonizing death of crucifixion, vv. 45-56.
4. Jesus was buried in Joseph's tomb; Pilate sent soldiers to seal and
guard the tomb, vv. 57-66.
II. Meditation: on the miraculous signs seen in this chapter
1. A sign of warning from the God of light, I John 1:5: darkness, v. 45.
2. A sign of a new way into God's presence: torn veil, v. 51.
3. A sign of God's supernatural power: earthquake, v. 51.
4. A sign of awesome hope: resurrection of some dead saints, vv. 52-53.
Note the centurion's response to these miracles:
"Truly this was the Son of God," Matthew 27:54.
III. Revelation: on why these miracles occurred . . . the lessons to be learned
1. Darkness – absence of God brings darkness: "Why have you forsaken
Me," Matthew 27:46; "when darkness reigns," Luke 22:53.
2. Torn veil – see Exodus 26:31; II Chronicles 3:14; Leviticus 16:2; Hebrews 10:20.
3. Earthquake – a natural event, but the timing was miraculous.
4. Resurrection – Jesus earlier had raised three individuals: 12 year-old girl,
Mark 5:41-42; son of a widow of Nain, Luke 7:14-15; Lazarus, John 11;
these all later died, but Jesus rose to live eternally!
IV. Observations: on who might have been the "resurrected saints" (Isaiah 26:19
(Note: these "resurrected saints" must have been buried in the general vicinity
of the city of Jerusalem; possible "saints" might include . . . )
1. Abel (Genesis 4:8) . . . commended by Jesus, Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51.
2. King David (I Chronicles 29:28) . . . Jesus is the "Son of David," Matthew 22:42.
3. Zechariah (II Chronicles 24:20-21) . . . one of God's martyrs who was praised
by Jesus, Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51.
4. John the Baptist (Matthew 14:12) . . . the forerunner of Christ, Luke 1:17.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Understand that without the presence of God, this present world exists in
darkness, John 3:19; without Christ's indwelling presence, I, too would
walk in darkness because of my sinful nature, John 8:12.
2. Come boldly through the torn veil to God's throne of grace, "to obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need," Hebrews 4:16.
3. See God's almighty power demonstrated when Christ died, even by the
forces of nature: "stones . . . cry out," Luke 19:40, and "all creation
groans and labors," Romans 8:22.
4. Rejoice in Christ's death and resurrection, in faith believing that I, also
will be a "resurrected saint" to live eternally with Him, I Corinthians 15:20.
Words From The Angel At Jesus' Tomb
(Matthew 28:1-20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. On Easter Sunday morning, an angel at the empty tomb announced
Christ's resurrection to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, vv. 1-8.
2. As the women went to tell the disciples, they met and worshipped
their resurrected Lord; He told them to tell His brethren to meet Him
in Galilee, vv. 9-10.
3. The Roman guards were bribed by the Jewish elders to tell the lie
that Jesus' disciples had stolen His body, vv. 11-15.
4. Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee;
He gave them "The Great Commission," vv. 16-20.
II. Meditation: on the key words of verses 6 and 7
1. A word of invitation: "COME."
2. A word of observation: "SEE."
3. A word of command: "GO."
4. A word of testimony: "TELL."
III. Observations: on these key words
1. Jesus always invites people to COME to Him, Matthew 11:28-30.
2. He invites people to SEE (observe) who He is and what He does,
John 1:38-39.
3. He sends out His apostles ("sent ones") to GO into all the world and
to make disciples, Matthew 28:18-20.
4. He commands His followers to TELL people "what great things the
Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you," Mark 5:19.
IV. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. There were two earthquakes in Jerusalem within three days: one at
Jesus' death, and another one at His resurrection, Matthew 27:51; 28:2.
Both of these were earth-shaking events!
2. The angel's face and garments radiated brightly . . . from God's presence,
just as those of Jesus did on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:2.
3. There should be a great sense of urgency for believers to tell unbelievers
of the risen Lord . . . "quickly!" vv. 7-8.
4. It is appropriate that a combination of fear and joy (of reverence and
thanksgiving) will fill a true believer's life.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. COME to Jesus for salvation, provision, direction, and filling.
2. SEE His hand at work in all the circumstances of my life.
3. GO wherever He directs me, obeying whatever He commands.
4. TELL the good news that Jesus is alive . . . that Jesus saves!
"Truth is the property of no individual but is the treasure of all men."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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