MAY 07, 2024
Topic: SUSPENSION OF NATURAL LAWS ON THE CROSS
Text: Matthew 27:35-54
Memory Verse: “At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three O’clock. At about three O’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice….’’my God, my God why have You abandoned me?” (Matt. 27:45-46).
Where Prophesies would be fulfilled, all natural laws have to be suspended for your sakes. While Satan gloated as events unfolded making people to see Christ to the cross and a supposed end to the revelation of the Seed, he did not understand that God was using his evil schemes to bring the Passover Lamb to work His eternal plans and fulfil age-long prophesies (1 Cor. 5:7; John 1:29).
While medical opinion differs on the number of hours to survive on the cross, there is a unanimous agreement that it is not possible to survive having one’s entire back flayed off, hanging for six hours and then stabbed in the heart!
According to Biblical accounts, Jesus was not just arrested (3 am); crucified (9 am) and hung on the cross until 3 pm when He died. There are graphic details that he was flogged with a whip with many tails, almost like fishhooks, such that the flogger rips the entire skin off the back. This alone was fatal and could kill.
Crucifixion was said to involve slow dislocation of the shoulders, resulting in death by suffocation in the course of hours; noting also the effects of nails both in the outstretched hands and in crossed feet. Dehydration took place of course in the loss of blood; vinegar should therefore not be a drink for that moment.
Being stabbed in the heart resulted in the emission of blood and water, indicating sure death from heart trauma, which would result in almost instant death; yet your Saviour did not die instantly!
At noon (12 o’clock) God’s presence was seen by all, like in the days of old: Deep darkness (as in Egypt: Matt. 27:45 & Exo. 10:21-23); earthquake, tremors and rocks splitting apart; like in Mount Horeb/Sinai (Exo. 19:16-18; 1 Kings 19:11 and Matt. 27:51b). This was simply not natural
Perhaps the greatest event was the resurrection of many saints who had died earlier, and the opening of their graves. These saints went to Jerusalem and “appeared” to many people! Like in Lazarus’ resurrection, we are assured without a shred of doubt that we shall be raised from corruption to incorruption and mortality to immortality in order that prophesies of the cross may be fulfilled Ps. 22:6-7 and 18; Isa. 53:9,12; Ps.69:19.
PRAYER: When it looks like You have abandoned me, Your presence is still with me. Help me to realize that You will never leave me nor forsake me and that natural laws are suspended for my sake.