Matthew 27:46-56

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 27:45-54 -- From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and

"At noon [when Jesus was being crucified], darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a..."

"At [the moment when Jesus died,] the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,....."

"The Roman officer and the other soldiers at [Jesus'] crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "This man..."

"Among [the women at the cross when Jesus was crucified] were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John,...."

"No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and thick a veil; but it was not intended merely as a display of power-many lessons were..."

Is there a higher gamble that one can make in life? Phil Ware shares some thoughts on the soldiers who gambled over Jesus' garments as he died and then later came to faith.

There is more to the crown of thorns Jesus carried than meets the eye at first glance. Max Lucado reminds us of the grace and love shown to us in the crown of thorns Jesus wore to the cross.

This seemingly innocuous transitional passage in the gospel of Luke is one of those hidden gems we often overlook! Phil Ware continues his reflections on his daily reading in the gospels, this time focused on Luke 8:1-3 and how this forgotten gem opens our eyes to the importance that women played in Jesus' ministry.

What could change everything? Bill Sherrill writes about God's clearest message through Jesus on the Cross and through the Gospel of John.