Luke 23:44-56

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the Spirit. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

— Luke 23:44-56

Let us observe in these verses — the miraculous signs which accompanied our Lord's death on the cross. We are told that there was "a darkness over all the earth" for three hours. "The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two."

It was proper and right that the attention of all around Jerusalem should be arrested in a marked way — when the great sacrifice for sin was being offered, and the Son of God was dying! There were signs and wonders wrought in the sight of all Israel — when the law was given on Sinai. There were signs and wonders in like manner — when the atoning blood of Christ was shed on Calvary.

There was a sign for an unbelieving world. The darkness at mid-day was a miracle which would compel men to think.

There was a sign for the Jewish Church and the ministers of the temple. The tearing of the curtain which hung between the holy place and the holy of holies — was a miracle which would strike awe into the heart of every priest and Levite.

Signs like these, on special occasions, let us remember — are a part of God's ways in dealing with man. He knows the desperate stupidity and unbelief of human nature. He sees that it is necessary to arouse our attention by miraculous works, when He brings in a new dispensation. He thus compels men to open their eyes — whether they will or not, and to hear His voice for a little season.

He has done so frequently in the days that are past. He did so when He gave the law. He did so in the passage before us when He brought in the Gospel.

He will do so once more when Christ comes again the second time. He will show a sneering, unbelieving world that He can suspend the laws of nature at His pleasure, and alter the framework of creation as easily as He called the earth into being. He will yet fulfill His words, "Yet once more I will shake not the earth only, but also the heavens." "Then the glory of the moon will wane, and the brightness of the sun will fade, for the LORD Almighty will rule on Mount Zion. He will rule in great glory in Jerusalem." (Hebrews 12:26; Isaiah 24:23.)

Let us observe, secondly, in these verses — the remarkable words which our Lord spoke when He died. We read that "Jesus cried with a loud voice: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!"

There is a depth of meaning, no doubt, in these words — which we have no line to fathom. There was something mysterious about our Lord's death, which made it unlike the death of any mere man. He who spoke the words before us, we must carefully remember — was God as well as man. His divine and human nature were inseparably united. His divine nature of course could not die. He says Himself, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down — and I have power to take it again." (John 10:17, 18.)

Christ died — not as we die, when our hour has come — not because He was compelled and could not help dying — but voluntarily, and of His own free will.

There is a sense, however, in which our Lord's words supply a lesson to all true Christians. They show us the manner in which death should be met by all God's children. They afford an example which every believer should strive to follow. Like our Master, we should not be afraid to confront the king of terrors. We should regard him as a vanquished enemy, whose sting has been taken away by Christ's death. We should think of him as a foe who can hurt the body for a little season — but after that has no more that he can do. We should await his approaches with calmness and patience, and believe that when our flesh fails — our soul will be in good keeping.

This was the mind of dying Stephen, "Lord Jesus," he said, "receive my spirit." This was the mind of Paul the aged, when the time of his departure was at hand. He says, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day." (Acts 7:59; 2 Timothy 1:12.) Happy indeed are those who have a last end like this!

Let us observe, lastly, in these verses — the power of conscience in the case of the centurion and the people who saw Christ die. We are told that the centurion "praised God, saying: Certainly this was a righteous man." We are told that the people who had come together to the sight, "smote their breasts and went away."

We do not exactly know the nature of the feelings here described. We do not know the extent to which they went, or the after-fruit which they brought forth. One thing, at all events, is clear. The Roman officer felt convinced that he had been part of an unrighteous action — crucifying an innocent person.

The gazing crowd were pierced to the heart by a sense of having aided, approved, and abetted a grievous wrong. Both Jew and Gentile left Calvary that evening — heavy-hearted, self-condemned, and ill at ease.

Great indeed is the power of conscience! Mighty is the influence which it is able to exercise on the hearts of men! It can strike terror into the minds of monarchs on their thrones. It can make multitudes tremble and shake before a few bold friends of truth, like a flock of sheep. Blind and mistaken as conscience often is, unable to convert man or lead him to Christ — it is still a most blessed part of man's constitution, and the best friend in the congregation that the preacher of the Gospel has. No wonder that Paul says, "By plainly setting forth the truth, we commend ourselves to every man's conscience." (2 Corinthians 4:2.)

He who desires inward peace, must beware of quarreling with his conscience. Let him rather use it well, guard it jealously, hear what it has to say, and treat it as his friend. Above all, let him pray daily that his conscience may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and cleansed by the blood of Christ. The words of John are very significant, "If our heart does not condemn us — then have we confidence toward God." (1 John 3:21.) That man is doing well who can say, "I always strive to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man." (Acts 24:16.)

We see from these verses — that Christ has some disciples of whom little is known. We are told of one Joseph, "a good and just man" — a man who "had not consented to the counsel" of those who condemned our Lord — a man who "himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went boldly to Pilate after the crucifixion — asked for the body of Jesus, took it down from the cross, and laid it in a tomb.

We know nothing of Joseph except what is here told us. In no part of the Acts or Epistles, do we find any mention of his name. At no former period of our Lord's ministry, does he ever come forward. We cannot explain his reason for not openly joining the disciples before this time. But here, at the eleventh hour, this man is not afraid to show himself to be one of our Lord's friends.

At the very time when the apostles had forsaken Jesus — Joseph is not ashamed to show his love and respect. Others had confessed Him while He was living and doing miracles. It was reserved for Joseph — to confess Him when He was dead.

The history of Joseph is full of instruction and encouragement. It shows us that Christ has friends of whom the Church knows little or nothing — unknown friends who in real love and affection, are second to none.

It shows us, above all, that events may bring out grace in quarters where at present we do not expect it; and that the cause of Christ may prove one day to have many supporters, of whose existence we are at present not aware. These are they whom David calls "hidden ones" — and Solomon compares to a "lily among thorns." (Psalm 83:3; Canticles 2:2.)

Let us learn from the case of Joseph of Arimathea, to be charitable and hopeful in our judgments. All is not barren in this world — when our eyes perhaps see nothing. There may be some latent sparks of light — when all appears dark. Little plants of spiritual life — may be existing in some remote congregations, which the Father Himself has planted. Grains of true faith may be lying hidden in some neglected English parish, which have been placed there by God. There were seven thousand true worshipers in Israel — of whom Elijah knew nothing. The day of judgment will bring forward men who seemed last — and place them among the first! (1 Kings 19:18.)

We see secondly, from these verses — the reality of Christ's death. This is a fact which is placed beyond dispute, by the circumstances related about His burial. Those who took His body from the cross and wrapped it in linen, could not have been deceived. Their own senses must have been witnesses to the fact, that He whom they handled was a corpse. Their own hands and eyes must have told them, that He whom they laid in Joseph's sepulcher — was not alive, but dead.

The importance of the fact before us is far greater than a careless reader supposes. If Christ did not really die, there would be an end of all the comfort of the Gospel. Nothing short of His death could have paid man's sin-debt to God. His incarnation, and sermons, and parables, and miracles, and sinless obedience to the law — would have availed nothing, if He had not died.

The penalty threatened to the first Adam, was eternal damnation in Hell. If the second Adam had not really and actually died in our stead, as well as taught us truth — the original penalty would have continued in full force against Adam and all his posterity. It was the life-blood of Christ, which was to save our souls.

Forever let us bless God that our great Redeemer's death is a fact beyond all dispute. The centurion who stood by the cross, the friends who took out the nails and laid the body in the grave, the women who stood by and beheld, the priests who sealed up the grave, the soldiers who guarded the sepulcher — all, all are witnesses that Jesus actually was dead.

The great sacrifice was really offered. The life of the Lamb was actually taken away. The penalty due to sin has actually been discharged by our Divine Substitute. Sinners believing in Jesus may hope and not be afraid. In themselves they are guilty. But Christ has died for the ungodly; and their debt is now completely paid.