Mark 15:31-39
So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Then what happens next? Darkness sweeps over the land while some people nearby continue to mock Him. This darkness seems to reflect two deeper truths: First, as Jesus says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It's like the Father is pulling away from the Son. Second, it looks like the land of Israel is facing God’s judgment for rejecting Jesus, their King and God’s Son (v33-35). Sadly, the people standing around, like the religious leaders, just couldn’t understand how important this moment really was.
In His final moments, Jesus doesn’t cry out in pain, but in victory, saying, “It is finished!” Then, He bows His head and gives up His spirit (John 19:30). At that moment, the curtain of the temple is torn from top to bottom, showing that through Jesus' death, God is opening a way for us to be close to Him. The centurion, who saw Jesus die, realizes He is the Son of God and says, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” (v37-39).
You see, many view the crucifixion as a mere historical event, but it’s so much more for those who believe in Him—it’s a spiritual event that changes everything. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, remove our shame, restore God's honor, and defeat the powers of this world. His sacrifice satisfies God's wrath, changes how God sees us, establishes His power in our lives, removes our shame, and grants us honor, righteousness, and the right to be God's children when we turn away from our sins and believe in Christ.
How important is Christ’s crucifixion to you? In what ways have you doubted Christ’s redeeming work in your life?
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Believe in Christ and His work, trust in Him, and turn away from human morality, false cultural practices, rituals, and occultism. In doing so, you receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life, honor from God, and His authority and blessings.