Three hours of darkness

It was 9 am when Jesus was crucified. At noon, the entire land became dark, and this darkness continued until 3 pm. A three-hour darkness descended upon the earth. (1) This darkness symbolizes the wrath and judgment of God. (2) During this time, Jesus, as a man (representing all humanity), bore the wrath of God on His own body. (3) Jesus prayed, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This is the fourth prayer on the cross and a quote from Psalm 22:1. According to Jewish tradition, quoting the first verse implies quoting the entire psalm. (4) The two most prominent Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering are Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus demonstrated that the prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering were fulfilled through His crucifixion.

The answer to Jesus’ prayer

Jesus’ prayer for help was immediately heard by God the Father. (1) People surrounding the cross misunderstood and thought Jesus was calling for Elijah. In Hebrew, the abbreviation of “Elijah” is “Eli.” However, the word “Eli” can be understood as both “My God” and “Elijah.” (2) At the final moment, Jesus cried out with a loud voice and then yielded His spirit. Only Luke records the content of this cry. Jesus said, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit” (Luke 23:46). (3) Jesus, just earlier addressed God as “My God,” but in the last cry, he calls Him “Father.” This indicates that Jesus’ prayer was heard, and the relationship with God the Father, which had been severed, was immediately restored. When we believe in Jesus, we will also experience what Jesus went through. (1) We were nailed on the cross with Jesus and experienced God’s wrath. (2) Just as Jesus had His relationship with the Father restored, we also, through Jesus, can restore our relationship with God. (3) There is no name other than the name of Jesus, by which we are justified before God. Jesus is our salvation, our life. Today, let’s offer our thanksgiving to God through Jesus.