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I. THE GREAT EVENT OF THE SAVIOUR'S DEATH

1. That this great event did take place we have abundant testimony —

(1)  Profane testimony.

(2)  The testimony of the early Christians.

(3)  The testimony of the inspired writers.

2. The design of His death.

(1)  To atone for the world (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19; Hebrews 10:12; John 1:29-36; Hebrews 7:27).

(2)  To procure for the guilty, pardon of sin (Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25). Withheld from the unforgiving, the unbelieving, the impenitent (Matthew 11:26; John 7:21, 24; Luke 13:2-5).

(3)  To procure the Holy Ghost to quicken dead sinners, etc.

(4)  To exhibit to the world the amazing love of God.

II. THE EMBLEMATICAL AND AWFUL PRODIGIES THAT ATTENDED THAT EVENT. Christ had been charged as an imposter; how important that this testimony should be borne just at this time!

1. The darkness. Dionysius, a heathen, who observed the darkness, declared that it portended something extraordinary, and exclaimed, "Either nature is deploring, or the God of nature suffers."

2. "The veil of the temple was rent." Signifies: The abolition of the Jewish economy; that the mysteries of that dispensation were now explained; that the way of access to God was open to all believers.

3. "The earth did quake." The shaking of the moral world then, since, now, etc.

4. "The rocks rent." Emblems of the hard hearts that should be broken by Christ's death.

5. "Graves were opened," &c, Signifying that the dead in sin should be raised to a life of righteousness; that Christ had won a victory over death; that the saints of the early ages had an interest in the work of Christ; that there shall be a general resurrection of the dead.

III. THE CLAMS IT HAS UPON US.

1. It claims our attention.

2. Our faith.

3. Our affections.

4. Our zeal.

(A. Weston.)

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KJV: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

WEB: Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.