Matthew 27:32 to 27:54 Jesus willingly died on the cross as the perfect substitute for our sins, opening direct access to God. Understand the sacrifice of Jesus bearing the punishment for our sins at Golgotha. Discover the significance of the temple veil tearing from top to bottom. Respond with heartfelt gratitude and trust in Christ's redeeming love. At Golgotha outside the walls of [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem), Roman soldiers crucified Jesus between two criminals. Darkness fell over the whole land from noon until three in the afternoon. Led Away to Golgotha Roman soldiers mocked Jesus, placed a crown of sharp thorns on his head, and led him out to be crucified. Along the way, soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the heavy wooden crossbeam. When they arrived at a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of a Skull, they nailed Jesus' hands and feet to the cross between two thieves. Darkness Over the Land From the sixth hour until the ninth hour (noon to three in the afternoon), complete darkness covered the entire land. People in the crowd mocked him, saying: 'He saved others; he cannot save himself!' Yet Jesus prayed for his enemies: 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' At about three o'clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. The Torn Veil and the Centurion's Witness At that very moment, the heavy curtain inside the temple tore in two from top to bottom, signifying that through Jesus' death, the barrier between holy God and sinful humanity was forever removed. The earth shook, and rocks split. When the Roman centurion and the soldiers guarding Jesus saw what took place, they were terrified and exclaimed: 'Truly this was the Son of God!' When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly this was the Son of God! Matthew 27:54 Where was Jesus crucified? In Nazareth At Golgotha outside Jerusalem Near the Sea of Galilee In Bethlehem At Golgotha outside Jerusalem Jesus was led outside Jerusalem to Golgotha, which means The Place of a Skull. What miracle happened to the temple curtain when Jesus died? It caught fire It was torn in two from top to bottom It turned gold It vanished into thin air It was torn in two from top to bottom The curtain torn from top to bottom showed that God opened direct access to himself through Jesus' sacrifice. What did the Roman centurion confess when he saw what happened? This man was an ordinary teacher Truly this was the Son of God! We made a mistake Let us build a monument Truly this was the Son of God! Seeing the darkness, earthquake, and the way Jesus died, the centurion confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Spend five minutes this Good Friday or weekend in quiet reverence, thanking Jesus for taking the penalty of your sins on the cross. Lord Jesus, you bore the agony and shame of the cross so that we might be forgiven. Thank you for your unfathomable love that tore the veil and brought us home to God. Amen. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross for our sins? What does the torn temple curtain mean for our relationship with God today? Explain the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross with reverence, clarity, and personal thankfulness. Show a picture of a bridge connecting two separated cliffs and explain how the cross bridged the gulf of sin. Why from top to bottom? Emphasize that only God could tear that massive curtain, showing salvation is entirely God's work. 5 minutes hook, 15 minutes Scripture, 10 minutes reflection, 10 minutes prayer.