“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51).

That which covered the Holy of holies was thrown open.  The unapproachable God (or so it was perceived) is now approachable.  God is with us.  God is for those who repent and turn in grace to Christ.  The power which created all things reminds us that it is He who holds all power and authority.  The signs are given.  The faithful see them and tremble, the unfaithful shrug them off with some sort of excuse.

Lord, the unbelieving in this world do not see the things that You make so clear.  They do not want to believe and so they reject every effort to see what is plain to see.  Help us, Lord, so that the faithful see the signs that You give.  There is no longer a veil that hinders our ability to draw near to You.  Lead us so that we draw near to You, who is the truth, and the way to the eternal life made possible through the cross.

Lord Jesus, the curious want to know where You went.  Help me to have fewer and fewer questions and more and more trust in You, my Lord and Savior.  You died the death I deserve for me to live the life for which I was created.  You have opened the way to learn right living.  Guide me, Jesus, for I need help every step of the way, including that final step in this age when I shall die.  Thank You, Jesus, for the salvation You offer.  Amen.

“At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.  And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:38-40).

Criminals were crucified with Jesus.  This is as Scripture foretold.  They were receiving punishment for what they had done.  Jesus was innocent.  Are we not like those abusers?  There are those who mock and tell God, “If you are God, fix this.”  Elsewhere in Scripture it says that one of them crucified with Him repented and asked Jesus to remember him.  We are presented with two possibilities.  Either this is God who took away the sin of the world, or else there is no God and we are left to our circumstances.

Lord God, all things are in Your hands, and the story of the cross has been told throughout all the generations since it happened.  The world promotes wickedness, yet, amid the wickedness, You provide hope and salvation.  The world mocks You, but You endured all the mockery for the sake of those who hear Your voice of love, humbly come to the cross and join You in dying to self, sin, and the devil.

Lord, there is so much that happens in this world which I do not understand.  Guide me so that I may humbly come to You and join You where You are.  You must be the One who leads me, for I do not know how to walk the path before me in this life.  Through Your death on the cross, You have overcome all that stands in the way of everyone who believes in You.  Help me to believe in the truth You have revealed.  Amen.