What Happened in the Spiritual Realm at the Cross (Preparing for Easter)

 As Christians, the cross of Jesus Christ stands at the center of our faith. It is through His sacrifice that we are offered redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. However, while the cross had profound physical and emotional implications for Jesus and those who witnessed it, there were also significant and powerful events taking place in the spiritual realm. These events were as crucial as the physical act itself and give us a deeper understanding of what Christ accomplished through His death. As we prepare for Easter, it is essential to reflect on the spiritual significance of the cross, for it is there that a cosmic battle was won.

1. Jesus’ Death: The Victory Over Sin and Death

When Jesus breathed His last on the cross, the Bible records that He cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). These words were not just the final breath of a dying man they were the declaration of victory. Jesus’ death was the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption. The spiritual realm shook as the final blow was struck against sin and death.

In Colossians 2:14-15, the Apostle Paul writes:

“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:14-15)

On the cross, Jesus disarmed the spiritual forces of evil. Through His death, He nullified the power of sin and death over humanity. The enemy Satan who had once held sway over mankind through sin, was defeated. The cross marked the ultimate spiritual victory. Jesus, by His blood, took away the condemnation that sin had brought and liberated humanity from its power.

2. The Curtain in the Temple Was Torn: Access to God Restored

One of the most significant events that occurred in the spiritual realm at the moment of Jesus' death was the tearing of the temple veil. Matthew 27:51 states:

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.”

This curtain, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was a symbolic barrier between God and man. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, and even then, he had to offer a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. The veil represented the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity.

At Jesus' death, this veil was torn in two, signifying that through His sacrifice, the way to God was now open to all. Hebrews 10:19-20 affirms this, saying:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body...” (Hebrews 10:19-20)

This event in the spiritual realm shows that through Jesus' blood, humanity no longer has to rely on a priest or a sacrifice for access to God. The barrier was removed, and believers can now approach God with confidence, knowing that Christ's sacrifice has reconciled them to the Father.

3. Jesus Conquered the Powers of Darkness

The cross also marked the defeat of spiritual forces of evil that had held dominion over creation since the Fall of Man. 1 John 3:8 says:

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8)

Throughout His ministry, Jesus confronted the forces of darkness healing the sick, casting out demons, and proclaiming the kingdom of God. However, it was at the cross that the decisive blow was dealt to Satan and his demonic forces.

In Colossians 2:15, Paul writes that Jesus “made a public spectacle of them” by triumphing over them at the cross. This declaration reveals the cosmic significance of Jesus’ death. The enemy’s hold on humanity was broken, and the powers of darkness were defeated in a way that was visible to the spiritual realm. Jesus’ crucifixion was not just a physical death it was a victory that reverberated throughout the heavens, striking fear into the spiritual forces of evil.

4. The Earthquake and the Opening of the Tombs: A Symbol of the Power of Resurrection

When Jesus died, the Bible records an earthquake that shook the ground. In Matthew 27:51-53, it states:

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.”

The earthquake and the opening of the tombs symbolized a spiritual truth: Jesus’ death had unleashed the power of resurrection. The shaking of the earth represented the dramatic shift in the spiritual realm. No longer would death have the final say. The first fruits of the resurrection were seen in the saints who rose from their graves, proclaiming that Jesus’ resurrection would soon follow, bringing victory over both physical and spiritual death.

This spiritual shift was the beginning of the defeat of death itself. Romans 6:9-10 tells us:

“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:9)

The victory over death was sealed at the cross, and through Jesus, believers can now have hope for eternal life.

5. Jesus' Descent to the Realm of the Dead: Proclaiming Victory

After Jesus died, He descended into the realm of the dead, or "Hades," to proclaim His victory. 1 Peter 3:18-20 says:

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.”

Jesus’ descent into Hades was not to suffer, but to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the devil. He announced to the spirits in prison (those who had died before the cross) that the victory had been won, and that all who believed in Him could be freed from the power of sin.

This action further emphasizes the cosmic scope of the battle that was won on the cross. Jesus' death was not just for those who lived at that time, but for all who had lived throughout history and those to come.

Conclusion: The Cross and Its Spiritual Significance

As we prepare for Easter, let us remember that the cross was not just a tragic event in history; it was the turning point in the spiritual realm. Through Jesus' death, the powers of darkness were defeated, the barrier between God and man was removed, and the victory over sin, death, and the devil was secured. The events at the cross reverberated through both the physical and spiritual realms, accomplishing what no earthly sacrifice could.

In the cross, we see the depth of God’s love and the extent of His sacrifice. As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded that Jesus' victory at the cross is the foundation of our faith, our redemption, and our hope for eternal life.