The Weight of the Cross

Opening

I have Jesus’ 4th saying on the cross. I will be reading Matthew 27:45–46 “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””

Ok, lets read Mark 15:33–34 “And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””

Verse 45 in Matthew 27 and verse 33 in Mark 15 it said talks about sixth hour there was darkness until the ninth hour. As I am reading this I think Matthew and Mark are painting this picture and these times are important and have meaning.

The Significance of the Darkness

To understand this verse, we have to understand the Jewish time. Yes, there are other translations that tells you. But this is the way God had me to go. I begin studying about the Jewish culture. The sixth hour is (12:00 PM noon) and the ninth hour is 3:00 PM

For three hours, from noon to 3 PM—the brightest part of the day— the land went dark.

Darkness at noon? This isn’t normal. It wasn’t because this was a supernatural darkness. And throughout the Bible when we read about a supernatural darkness it is associated with sin or God’s judgement. We need to remember why Jesus was sent to earth.

In John 3:16–17 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Let’s look at verse 17...For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” and

In Matthew 20:28 here Jesus is talking to his disciple about serving others “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

So If we remember Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth and knowing he was sent to die for the sins of the world. On the cross Jesus took on all the sins of the world.

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

In Verses 46 in Matthew and 34 in Mark 15 we see that at the ninth hour (3 PM)—Jesus cries out

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

This is not just emotion or Jesus questioning God. In this moment Jesus is quoting Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”

In this verse David is enduring some trails. and if you keep reading it give a description of the suffering Jesus would endure hundreds of year later. This here is a prophecy.

What does “forsaken” mean?

It means: To be abandoned, To be left alone, To be separated

So, in this moment Jesus isn’t questioning God, but simply quoting David. As he is on the cross he is carrying our burdens on the cross.

The Heart of the Statement

He felt what sin does

He was experiencing temporary separation from his Father.

He took our place fully

He took the sins of the world, dying for us …so we could experience God’s presence and be one with the Father.

The Significant

The time and day Jesus crucifixion wasn’t coincidental. Jesus was crucified on Nisan 14 (March/April) which was on a Friday and that is Preparation Day of Passover:

Mark 15:42 “And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,” John 19:14 “Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!””

The Hour of Prayer

The ninth hour is a significant time for prayer as well as the third and sixth hour which is (9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM. These time correlate with Jesus’ crucifixion.

While people were praying… Jesus was becoming the answer to their prayers

The Hours of Sacrifice

On the Day of Preparation, The ninth hour (3 PM) was when the lambs will be sacrificed. At the same time Jesus, who John refers to the Lamb of God, in John 1:29 was on the cross drying.

Now:

Jesus is the final Passover Lamb

Why This Matters

1. You Will Never Be Forsaken

Because Jesus was…

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””

Even when you feel alone—God is still there.

2. Your Sin Has Been Paid For

You don’t have to carry guilt anymore.

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

3. God Understands Your Pain

Jesus knows what it feels like to hurt… to feel abandon… to be tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

4. Darkness Is Not the End I am reminded of the song the late Daryl Coley When Sunday Comes.

The darkness lasted 3 hours…You have to remind yourself But Sunday was coming

Closing

When Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

He was taking our place.

He was carrying our sin. He was fulfilling prophecy. He was becoming the sacrifice.

Final Thought:

“He was forsaken… so we could be forgiven. He was abandoned… so we could be accepted. He stepped into darkness… so we could live in the light.”

Closing Prayer

“Lord, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone. Help us live in the freedom You paid for. Amen.”