“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split…” Matthew 27:51

The veil in the temple torn in two and the earthquake that occurred at Christ’s death are just two of the many supernatural occurrences that God caused to happen at Christ’s death. They stand as supernatural witnesses that this Son of man was also the Son of God, who is the Savior of the world.

The tearing of the veil in the temple at Christ’s death is one of the most profound and encouraging visual results of His death proclaiming a deeper spiritual truth. Christ’s death opened the door, providing the way for you and me to come into the very presence of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is also called “The Door” in the book of John, provided a way through His redeeming blood on the cross to make us accepted by God Almighty.

The heavy, thick curtain in the temple that divided the holy place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two the moment Christ died. Jewish historians say that this thick curtain was large and costly, some sixty feet high and made of rich materials. Clearly, this was a supernatural tearing. The direction of the tear would show that no human hands had torn it apart, and the tearing happened before the earthquake, so the earthquake did not cause the tear. God tore the curtain to show us that the way to the presence of God had been opened by the acceptable sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Until this time, only the High Priest was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies, and that was once a year. He went in with fear and trembling. As a result of Christ opening the way by His blood, we are told in the Word of God, “let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting Him.” We are also told, “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.”

The earthquake at the time of Christ’s death at this awful scene on Golgotha is as if the very land trembled at the crime committed against God. The perfect, sinless Son of God died in our place that we, who deserved to die, might be saved. Thank God for His plan!

The Roman centurion and soldiers who stood by feared greatly at the events occurring around them. It appears the centurion was greatly moved, not just by the earthquake, but by all the words he heard Jesus speak from the cross. The gospel writings tell us that the Roman centurion “glorified God” and he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Jesus Christ was lifted up for us to draw all people to himself, the Roman centurion included. Jesus was buried and three days later He arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He is coming again! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He has opened the way for you and me to have a personal encounter and relationship with God Almighty. Will we trust Him? He can cleanse us from all sin and He can and will do in us what we never thought possible. What a Savior!