Read: Mark 15:33-37
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice. (v. 34)
It was a dark day, the day we call Good Friday. As Jesus hung on the cross and darkness descended over Jerusalem for three hours, it was almost as if nature itself was in mourning for what was taking place. In the middle of this darkness, Mark tells us that Jesus cries aloud two times.
His first cry contained the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This seems strange. Jesus had always had a very close relationship to his Father. But now on the cross he feels abandoned by God. How could this be?
Although divine, Jesus had experienced everything human, except sin (Hebrews 4:15). But in order to be our complete Savior, Jesus in some sense had to “experience” sin; and sin always separates us from God. So, on the cross, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he [God] made him [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” As extreme as this may sound, it assures us of salvation.
As frightening as the first cry might have been, the second cry (Mark 15:37) was one of triumph. Each gospel records these cries slightly differently, but John tells us that Jesus says—“It is finished” (John 19:30). Yes, it was finished—Jesus had conquered sin and our salvation was assured. —John Koedyker
As you pray, thank the Lord Jesus for completely saving us from our sins.
About the Author
Rev. John C. Koedyker is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. He has served as a missionary to Japan as well as pastor of several churches in Iowa and Michigan. Until recently he served Muskegon Classis as its Stated Clerk for 18 years. He resides in Grand Haven, Michigan.
