Matthew 27:45–54: “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Introduction
As we come to death of Jesus, we must approach this passage of Scripture with reverent wonder, holy fear, and joyful gratitude. Our Lord took upon himself a human nature precisely so that he might undergo the miseries of hell on the cross, and ultimately that he might die for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures. Here we discover the heart of the gospel’s extraordinarily good news: Jesus was forsaken by God so that we might be reconciled to God.
Discussion Questions
1. What does the darkness that descended upon all the land signify (v. 45)? Why can we not explain this away as a solar eclipse? From what passage does Jesus quote his words of dereliction on the cross (v. 46)? Does Jesus suggest by these words that the Trinity has experienced a rupture within the three divine persons? If not, then how do we understand the nature of Jesus’ forsakenness at the cross? How does our theology and Christology help us make sense of this?
2. Why might bystanders have thought that Jesus was calling out to Elijah (v. 47)? Why might one of them have run at once to give Jesus a drink of sour wine (v. 48)? What made the bystanders curious as to whether Elijah might come (v. 49)? To what degree might these actions and statements have been genuine? How might they also be interpreted as mockery? What was the scene like when Jesus made his loud cry and yielded up his spirit in death (v. 50)?
3. What did the tearing of the curtain of the temple, from top to bottom, signify (v. 51a)? What does the earthquake and the splitting of the rocks suggest about the death of Jesus (v. 51b)? Why were the tombs opened (v. 52–53)? What do the centurion’s words teach us about his faith (v. 54)? What significance does this have for sinners who have been kept from access to God? How do these reactions underscore the cosmic significance of Jesus’ death?
4. How do you personally respond to the death of Jesus? What does this passage teach us about the significance of the death of Jesus? How do we see the patience and long-suffering endurance of Jesus for miserable sinners? How does this passage demonstrate that Jesus truly is the Son of God? What does the event of Jesus’ death demand of us today? What holds you back from wholehearted faith, devotion, and obedience to Christ and him crucified?
