Luke 23:44-24:12 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

It was now about he sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

Jesus Is Buried

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.

And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

The Resurrection

24But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened. 

In today's text it says: It was now about he sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,  because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”  And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.  And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things. In Matthew 27:51 it says: And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.  So we see that creation, the sun and the earth responded to the crucifixion of Jesus. The temple veil, made by man according to God's command, also responded. Matthew 27:52 says: The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. The text says: when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”  And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.  Everyone and everything that was present that day responded to Jesus death on the cross. To this day, everything and everyone still must respond to Jesus death on the cross. Creation responds in obedience and praise. Each morning as the sun rises and light appears the birds welcome the day with their songs. For people though, each one chooses for themselves how they will respond to the cross. Some choose the darkness that remains over the land. Unlike the centurion, they refuse to accept that an innocent man died to redeem them from sin. Some though feel the remorse, recognizing their sin, like so many in the crowd that day. They, like the saints who died before are raised up from the death of sin.

The story doesn't end with Jesus death on the cross, or even with His burial in the tomb. The text says: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;  and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,  saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words,  and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.  But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened. Again each person must choose how they will respond to the empty tomb; to the resurrection of Christ. Some will be perplexed. Some will say it is nonsense and not believe. Some like Peter will desire to see for themselves and will marvel at what happened. Romans 10:9-13 says: If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;  for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”   Everyone must respond.

Thank You heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ and precious Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is Lord. He died on the cross for my sins, He was buried in a tomb, but was raised up to live again. By the power of the Holy Spirit in me, may my faith result in righteousness as I live with Christ in His resurrection. Amen.