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Author: Stephen Weller
699 words, 4 minutes read time

A Powerful Death Witness

Scripture: Matthew 27:54, 56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 23:48-49

The previous lesson was filled with excitement. We did not witness a normal death; we witnessed the death of the Son of Man and it happened with side effects. A massive curtain 60 feet high and 30 feet wide and extremely thick and strong was torn from top to bottom along with the earth shaking, rocks splitting, and tombs being opened releasing resurrected bodies of past saints. How Jesus died and the accompanying side effects did not go unnoticed as we will see in this lesson.

^{Mt 27:54} When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” ^{Lk 23:48} And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

When the centurion, who had seen many die on a cross, and those who were with him, who kept watch over Jesus, heard what Jesus said from the cross and how he died, and the side effects in nature, they were filled with awe and recognized that this was the Son of God who had just died. The crowds that had assembled for this spectacle saw what had taken place, likewise, were impressed to consider what had unfolded before them. As they pondered what had transpired before them they head towards home beating their breasts as a sign of grief and repentance. For some of them, they will further ponder this when they hear of the resurrection and possibly see Jesus and then hear of his ascension. These will be among the first Christians.

^{Lk 23:49} And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. ^{Mk 15:40} Among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ^{Mt 27:56} the mother of the sons of Zebedee. ^{Mk 15:41} When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

The acquaintances of Jesus would include his relatives, friends, and disciples. Some of the women mentioned here we met in Luke 8:1 – 3 (ESV) in lesson H243: ¹ “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

Some of these women were singled out and their names mentioned because we will meet them again when we cover the resurrection of Jesus. These women ministered to him in the past and they will continue to minister to him until their services are no longer needed. These women had a special place in the life of Jesus as did several women who served me during my time in China. For six months in each of six years a team of three women translated for me as I taught Bible classes. Another woman and her husband provided a place to live and two meals each day over a four-year period.

Conclusion

During the ministry of Jesus, we witnessed his power as he performed many signs and wonders by controlling storms, creating food for multitudes, raising the dead, healing and even giving sight to one born blind. On the cross, Jesus continued his witness of power and control. We witnessed a criminal come to salvation, Mary given to the care of John, enemies forgiven, and even the timing of his death. As he died the curtain was torn, the earth shook, and saints were resurrected from open graves. Jesus gave up his life when his work was finished and in three days he will rise from the grave.