“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lamasabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).
TEXT — Mark 15:33-39
Message
Winston Churchill once paid a heartfelt tribute to the brave veterans of the Royal Air Force who stood guard over England during World War II, famously stating, “Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few.” There’s also a monument honouring the heroism of the US 101st Airborne Division, who fought valiantly in The Battle of Bastogne, one of the bloodiest confrontations of the same World War. It reads: “Seldom has so much American blood been shed in the course of a single action. Oh, Lord, help us to remember!” Yet, when we gaze upon the Cross of Christ, we can genuinely say: “Never in the history of the universe has mankind owed so much to One. Oh, Lord, help us to remember.”
The crucifixion of Jesus carries immense significance. As He was nailed to the cross, supernatural darkness enveloped the land for three hours, symbolising God’s judgment on sin and the deep anguish of the Saviour. In that moment, as Jesus bore the weight of humanity’s sins,He felt an unbearable spiritual separation and cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” This profound anguish underscores the serious consequences of humanity’s sin and the staggering cost of our redemption. When Jesus breathed His last, the temple curtain,which separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple, tore from top to bottom. This powerful act signified the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, showing that we now have direct access to the Father through Jesus Christ. We no longer need human mediators; Jesus has paved the way for us to approach God confidently.
A Roman centurion who played a role in Christ’s crucifixion and was typically cruel and indifferent to spiritual matters was deeply moved by Jesus’ extraordinary death. He declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” His testimony reveals that Christ’s sacrifice offers salvation to everyone, regardless of race, tribe, or nation. Sadly, the religious leaders nearby misinterpreted Jesus’ cry and failed to grasp the significance of His sacrifice. Even though they witnessed these events, they couldn’t see God’s salvation right before them.
The Cross stands as the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for man. He gave His only Begotten Son for our redemption. This ultimate sacrifice demands our gratitude and that we confidently draw near to God, since we now have access to Him. It also compels us to share the message of the Cross, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and His salvation is available to all.
Thought for the day
The cross is an eternal reminder of God’s unparalleled love for humanity
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Leave a Reply