The three hours of darkness was a miracle. It was not an eclipse, because that would have been impossible during the Passover season when there is a full moon. It was a God-sent darkness that shrouded the cross as the Son of God was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). It was as though all nature was sympathizing with the Creator as He suffered and died. When Israel was in Egypt, three days of darkness preceded the first Passover (Ex. 10:21ff.) When Jesus was on the cross, three hours of darkness preceded the death of God’s Lamb for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

Both Matthew 27:45-46 and Mark 15:33-34 record our Lord’s cry at the close of the darkness, a Hebrew quotation from Psalm 22:1, ‘My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ What this abandonment was and how Jesus felt it are not explained to us, but certainly it involves the fact that He became sin for us.

Our Lord cried with a loud voice, ‘It is finished!’ (John 19:30), a declaration of victory. He had finished the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). The work of redemption was completed, the types and prophecies were fulfilled (Heb. 9:24ff), and the Savior could now rest.

He then addressed His Father in the final statement from the cross, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit’ (Ps. 31:5). This was actually a bedtime prayer used by Jewish children, and it tells how our Lord died: confidently, willingly (John 10:17-18), and victoriously. Those who know Jesus as their Savior may die with the same confidence and assurance (2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:20-23).

When our Lord released His spirit, the veil of the temple was torn in two ‘from the top to the bottom’ (Mark 15:38). This miracle announced to the priests and people that the way into God’s presence was open for all who would come to Him by faith through Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:1 – 10:25). No more do sinners need earthly temples, altars, sacrifices, or priests, for all had now been fulfilled in the finished work of the Son of God.”

I invite you to read the rest of Luke 23 and 24 to see more of the love of God for mankind. If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, what are you waiting for? There is no better time than now to turn from your sin and receive God’s gift of salvation. For those who know the Lord, Easter is a special time of celebrating Christ’s victory over sin and death.          

Scripture for the weekend: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NASB)

Thought for the weekend: “Paul uses a form of the Greek word for comfort (paraklesis) 10 times in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. This ‘comfort’ is far more than a passing relief or sympathy. It pictures one who stands beside us in the midst of struggle to encourage and support. The same root is used of the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Comforter and divine Paraclete! Paul’s words affirm: (1) God, who is the Father of Jesus Christ, will comfort us in the midst of adversity. (2) This comfort will serve us in a powerful way when God uses us to comfort others.” – Dr. David Jeremiah