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The Seven Miracles at Calvary
When Jesus Christ was crucified, seven extraordinary miracles occurred that demonstrated God's power and revealed profound spiritual truths. These miracles, both from heaven above and from the earth below, showcase the transformative impact of Christ's sacrifice.
Darkness Over the Earth For three hours, from noon until 3:00 PM, supernatural darkness covered the earth (Luke 23:44). This wasn't a solar eclipse, which only lasts minutes. This was a darkness that could be felt - similar to the darkness that fell on Egypt. During these three hours, God turned His face away as Jesus bore the sins of the world. When Jesus cried out "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?), it marked the only moment in eternity when the Son was separated from the Father.
The Torn Temple Veil The temple veil - 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and a handbreadth thick - was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). According to historical records, this veil was so strong that teams of horses could not pull it apart. Yet God tore it supernaturally from above, symbolizing that through Christ's sacrifice, all believers now have direct access to God's presence. No longer do we need priests or mediators - we can approach God's throne of grace boldly (Hebrews 4:16).
The Earthquake When Jesus cried "It is finished," the earth shook and rocks split (Matthew 27:51). Just as the earth quaked when the law was given at Mount Sinai, it quaked again when Christ fulfilled the law. This earthquake symbolized both the absorption of sin's penalty and pointed forward to the future regeneration of creation (Romans 8).
The Opened Graves The earthquake selectively opened only the graves of saints who had died in faith (Matthew 27:52). This demonstrated Christ's power over death and served as a preview of the future resurrection. These opened graves remained visible through the Sabbath as testimony to Jesus's victory over death.
The Resurrected Saints After Christ's resurrection, these saints emerged from their graves and appeared to many people in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:53). While scripture doesn't provide details about who they were or how they appeared, this miracle validated Christ's power to raise the dead and pointed to the future resurrection of all believers.
The Blood and Water When the soldier pierced Jesus's side, both blood and water flowed out (John 19:34) - a medically impossible occurrence that John recorded as miraculous. The blood symbolized Christ's atoning sacrifice while the water represented the cleansing power of God's Word and Spirit.
The Gospel of the Cross The transformation of the cross from an instrument of execution into the central symbol of salvation represents an ongoing miracle. What was meant for shame became the emblem of God's love and saving grace. As Paul declared, "God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14).
These seven miracles at Calvary reveal the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice and its world-changing implications. They demonstrate God's power over death, His desire to make a way for humanity to approach Him, and His promise of resurrection life for all who believe. The cross stands as the pivotal moment in history when divine justice and mercy met, making salvation available to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ.