Historical records do more than verify Jesus’ death.

The erecting of Jesus’ cross pulled back the curtain for a show of God’s power, which was so spectacular that the New Testament authors were not the only ones to write about it. Historical authors like Africanus, Thallus, Phlegon, Tacitus, Josephus, and even the Jewish Talmud itself speaks about significant events that happened the day the cross went up.

The sky fell dark with “fearful darkness.” An unexplained, unexpected eclipse of the sun occurred during a full moon. A severe earthquake collapsed “many places in Judea.” Then a catastrophe occurred in the Temple Sanctuary. No wonder the soldier standing near the cross declared, “This must have been the son of God.”

Jesus’ sacrificial death had a profound effect on nature, on the Temple, and on the people themselves. Since then, gang members have turned into pastors, dry ground into schools for the poor, empty buildings into homes for orphans. It’s filled hungry stomachs, turned dirty water clean, and taken wandering spirits and given them purpose.

It’s the starting place of God’s new covenant, the genesis of God’s power in us. It’s an earthquake, an eclipse, a ripping of the sins that separate us from heaven. The power of the cross is bettering you. Share it!