“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:44-46
In Martin Hengel’s book “Crucifixion in the Ancient World and the Folly of the Message of the Cross”, he quotes Melito who lived just over 100 years after Jesus and was the Bishop of Sardis:
“He who hung the earth [in its place] hangs there, he who fixed the heavens is fixed there, he who made all things fast is made fast upon the tree, the Master has been insulted, God has been murdered, the King of Israel has been slain by an Israelitish hand. O strange murder, strange crime! The Master has been treated in unseemly fashion, his body naked, and not even deemed worthy of a covering, that [his nakedness] might not be seen. Therefore the lights [of heaven] turned away, and the day darkened, that it might hide him who was stripped upon the cross.”
If the story ended on Friday, it would have been the worst day in the history of the world. But the story did not end on Friday. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that through His death and resurrection you have eternal life.
“One thief was converted in his last hour that none might despair. But only one was converted that none might presume.” – J.C. Ryle
God’s Word: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” – Matthew 27:50
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