The Death of Jesus on The Cross
May 8, 2021
Commentary
Mark indicates that the crucifixion began around nine o’clock in the morning (Mark 15:25 “third hour”). From then until noon Jesus repeatedly prayed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 24:34). He spoke to the repentant thief and assured him of a place in paradise (Luke 23:39-43) and He committed His mother into the care of His beloved disciple, John.
At noon, a miraculous darkness covered the land (v. 45). This was not a sand storm or an eclipse, as some have suggested but was a heaven-sent darkness that lasted for three hours. There were three days of darkness in Egypt before the Passover (Ex. 20:21-23); and now there were three hours of darkness before the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world. Jesus was silent for these three hours while He became the sin offering for the world (Jn 1:29) and was forsaken by the father.
After three hours the darkness left and Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (v. 46). Then with one last cry, He gave up His spirit (vv. 47-50), committing it into the hands of His Father (Luke 23:46). In other words, having borne the wrath of God’s judgment against sin, He knew He had triumphed over Satan and the curse of sin. Three miracles took place simultaneously:
1. The veil of the temple was torn (v. 51) – This indicates that He conquered sin.
2. An earthquake opened many graves (v. 52) – This suggests He conquered the law.
3. Some saints rose from the dead (vv. 52-53) – These prove that He defeated death.
The Roman soldiers said, “Truly this was the Son of God” (v. 54) and many of the women watched from a distance (vv. 55-56).
Application
How do I want to be remembered? (1)___ someone who cared for people. (2) ___ someone who loved God. (3) ___ someone who lived life to the fullest.
Matthew 27:45– 56 (NET)
45 Now from noon until three, darkness came over all the land. 46 At about three o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) 54 Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, “Truly this one was God’s Son!” 55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and given him support were also there, watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Illustration: What’s Really Important
Former Texas Governor John Connally after he was wounded by the assassin who took the life of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 said in an interview, “As far as Nellie and I are concerned,… it inevitably brought into sharper focus what’s really important in life… We try not to participate in things that are shallow or in the long run meaningless.” (Our Daily Bread, January 1, 1995).