It was about nine o'clock in the morning when they nailed him to the cross. On it was a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is the King of the Jews.”The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.
People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and shouted, “Ha! So you're the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days. Save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses also made fun of Jesus. They said to each other, “He saved others, but he can't save himself. If he is the Messiah, the king of Israel, let him come down from the cross! Then we will see and believe.” The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus.
About noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until around three o'clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”
Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, “He is calling for Elijah.” One of them ran and grabbed a sponge. After he had soaked it in wine, he put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus. He said, “Let's wait and see if Elijah will come and take him down!” Jesus shouted and then died.
At once the curtain in the temple tore in two from top to bottom.
A Roman army officer was standing in front of Jesus. When the officer saw how Jesus died, he said, “This man really was the Son of God!”
Mark 15:25-39
Some people lived for several days while hanging on a cross. Jesus was on the Cross of His crucifixion from nine o'clock in the morning until three in the afternoon. From our perspective two thousand years later it is hard to believe that no one on earth knew what Jesus was doing on the Cross except Christ Himself. For His followers, His mother, the casual observers, and everyone else who passed by the cross that day the crucifixion of Jesus was just a terrible tragedy and to His disciples it put an end to all their hopes and dreams.
The greatest event in all of human history was happening right in front of them and no one had any idea about the eternal significance of that day!
Like the followers of Jesus at the crucifixion you may be witnessing or even be a key participant in some of the most critical acts of God in these last days.
Jesus was only on the Cross about six hours. Mark off the next six hours in your life and ask God to show you what He is doing in your presence today.
"Lord, like everyone who stood at the foot of Your Cross I am blind to what is really happening around me today. Show me Lord how Your hand is moving in the world around me. Let me see the things I cannot see and know the things I cannot know without the touch of Your Hand on my heart! Thank you Jesus. Amen!"
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