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I. The CIRCUMSTANCES attendant on the Saviour's death claim our attention and they attest His Divine character. "The earth did quake." The death of Christ shook the moral world and shakes it still. "The rocks rent." Emblems of the hard flinty hearts that should be subdued by the power of Christ's death. "Graves were opened," as if to denote that the hidden things of darkness should be revealed.

II. THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE STRIKING EVENTS SHOULD INFLUENCE US.

1. They should confirm us in the dignity of His character.

2. We should reflect upon the power of His death.

3. We should search for these effects upon ourselves.

(Dr. Cope.)

I. THE FACT OF THE SAVIOUR'S DEATH.

1. Christ died according to the appointment of the Divine counsels.

2. This design of God was announced in prophecy.

3. The particular manner of our Lord's death.

II. THE SIGNIFICATION OF THOSE AWFUL PRODIGIES BY WHICH HIS DEATH WAS ATTENDED.

1. Of the whole of them. So many testimonies to the Messiahship of Jesus, and approbations of His work.

1. "The veil of the temple was rent" —

(1)  That the ceremonial arrangements of the Jewish economy were about to be abolished;

(2)  That the way of access is opened to all believers in God;

(3)  That the mysteries peculiar to the Mosaic economy were now displayed and explained.

2. "The earth did quake."

(1)  Another emblem of the destruction of the Jewish system.

(2)  How God expressed His wrath at the scenes now transacting.

3. "The graves were opened."

(1)  It showed that Christ achieved a victory over death.

(2)  That the saints of the early ages had an interest in the work of the Redeemer.

(3)  That there should be a general resurrection of the dead.

III. THE INFLUENCE WHICH THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND ITS PRODIGIES OUGHT TO POSSESS, OVER THE HUMAN MIND.

1. Frequent contemplation on His death.

2. Pungent sorrow for the cause which produced His death.

3. Cordial faith in His merits.

4. Grateful thanksgiving to God for the scenes which have been unfolded.

(J. Parsons.)

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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.