SERMON NOTES

When the Ground Gave Way

Good Friday marks one of the most profound and unsettling moments in the Christian story. What once appeared stable suddenly shifted. What seemed certain gave way to confusion, grief, and ultimately, revelation.

The events leading up to this moment created a stark contrast. Just days earlier, during Palm Sunday, crowds celebrated Jesus with joy, shouting “Hosanna!” as He entered the city. There was excitement, expectation, and a sense that everything was moving forward. Yet within five days, that same atmosphere turned into chaos—Jesus was arrested, accused, and led to the cross. What appeared to be progress suddenly felt like collapse.

This tension reflects a deeper spiritual reality. There are moments when God seems to be moving powerfully, and then suddenly everything feels as though it is falling apart. However, what appears to be disorder may, in fact, be divine alignment. What looks like collapse may actually be God bringing something into place.

Scripture Reading

Matthew 27:45–51 (NIV) "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split."

Power in Plain Sight

At first glance, Good Friday appears to be a moment of weakness. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and crucified. The scene reflects suffering and apparent defeat. Yet, beneath the surface, something far greater is unfolding.

In John 19:30, Jesus declares, “It is finished.” This statement is crucial. He does not say, “I am finished,” but rather, “It is finished.” This signifies completion, not defeat. The mission entrusted to Him had reached its fulfillment.

Jesus remained on the cross not because He lacked the power to come down, but because humanity lacked the ability to reach God on its own. His sacrifice was intentional and voluntary. As stated in John 10:18, no one took His life from Him; He laid it down willingly and with authority.

What appeared to be powerlessness was, in reality, power under control. While onlookers mocked and misunderstood, heaven was actively accomplishing redemption. This moment reveals that circumstances can often be misinterpreted when viewed only from a human perspective.

What Was Really Happening in the Dark

As Jesus hung on the cross, darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. This was not merely a natural occurrence but a spiritual moment of significance. Creation itself was responding to what was taking place.

According to Luke 23:44–45, the sun stopped shining, and the temple curtain was torn. This darkness symbolized a divine exchange. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains that Jesus, who was without sin, became a sin offering on behalf of humanity so that righteousness could be restored.

On the cross, Jesus absorbed the weight of sin. Justice was not ignored—it was fulfilled. Sin was exposed, evil was confronted, and the debt of humanity began to be settled. The darkness reflected the gravity of this moment as justice and mercy intersected.

The cross demonstrates both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s love. It reveals how far God was willing to go to restore relationship with humanity. What seemed like a moment of defeat was actually a decisive act of victory unfolding beneath the surface.

Access Granted

One of the most significant moments of Good Friday occurs when the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This curtain had long represented separation between humanity and the presence of God. Only the High Priest could enter beyond it, and only once a year, under strict conditions.

When Jesus gave His life, God Himself tore the curtain. The direction—from top to bottom—indicates that this was not a human action but a divine one. This act symbolized the removal of barriers between God and humanity.

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, access to God was no longer restricted. The shift moved from religion to relationship, from performance to grace, and from distance to intimacy. As Hebrews 4:16 encourages, believers can now approach God’s throne with confidence rather than fear. This moment changed everything. What was once limited became open. What was once distant became accessible.

A Call to Respond

The events of Good Friday demand a response. Witnessing revelation does not automatically lead to transformation. In Matthew 27:54, the centurion recognized Jesus as the Son of God after witnessing the events surrounding the crucifixion. Others saw the same events yet remained unchanged. The question remains: if the ground shifted then, has it shifted within us?

Good Friday was not merely about historical events. It was about a divine unveiling—of power, justice, and access. The shaking of the earth, the tearing of the veil, and the darkness in the sky all pointed to a greater reality unfolding. What appeared to be defeat was, in truth, the foundation of victory. And while Friday shook the earth, it was only the beginning. Because the story does not end there.