Page 15 - March 2026 - Truth & Tidings

So the observers at Calvary remained until the priesthood to the core. It was God’s
the darkness lifted. But, while the exter- demonstration of the end of the Jewish
nal darkness was dispelled, the darkness system, and the promise of access into
upon their hearts remained. The Lord’s God’s presence through Christ.
cry was misinterpreted as a cry for Elijah’s Declaration – “And when the centurion,
assistance, “Behold, he calleth Elias.” which stood over against him, saw that
When no help was forthcoming, a sol- he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he
dier lifted a sponge full of sour wine to the said, Truly this man was the Son of God”
Saviour’s lips. This was to keep Him con- (v39). The centurion was in charge of the
scious to “see whether Elias will come to soldiers tasked with the crucifixion. His
take him down.” In close proximity to the experience of death, and particularly this
Son of God, and in the shadow of Calvary, kind of death, was unquestionable. Hear-
men in their dullness remained oblivious ing the loud triumphant cry and witness-
to God’s purpose and plan. “For had they ing the Lord’s dignified death, all prior
known it, they would not have crucified doubt about His claims were overcome.
the Lord of glory” (1Co 2:8). “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Death – “And Jesus cried with a loud Devotion – “There were also women
voice, and gave up the ghost” (v37). This looking on afar off …” (vv40-41). Mark
was the triumphant cry, “It is finished!” shows that these women remained at the
(Joh 19:30). Mark emphasises how He cross until the end, and arrived at the
cried out. It differed sharply from the tomb “very early in the morning” (16:2).
usual groans of crucifixion victims and As Mary of Bethany’s devotion to the Lord
gained the attention of the watching cen- would stand as a memorial (14:9), surely
turion (v39). The wise man had declared, also the devotion of these women should
“There is no man that hath power over the be noted. They followed Him, served Him,
spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he and remained steadfast throughout the
power in the day of death” (Ecc 8:8), but whole ordeal of His crucifixion, without
to that wise saying there is an exception: ever forsaking the One they loved.
the Lord Jesus. The “strength of the cry Considering the inspired record of the
indicates that he did not die the ordinary Lord’s crucifixion, we are amazed at the
death of those crucified” (William Lane). restraint used by the Gospel writers in
The Lord, in perfect control of His destiny, describing this central event of time and
announced the completion of His work eternity. Erich Sauer’s words, written
and deliberately yielded up His spirit to originally about the incarnation, are well
God. applied to the Cross:
Demonstration – “And the veil of the of all times—the turning point
temple was rent in twain from the top
to the bottom” (v38). The impact of the of all love—the highest point
death of God’s Servant upon Judaism was of all salvation—the starting point
announced by the miraculous rending of of all worship—the central point
the temple veil. It was not torn haphaz- May our hearts be drawn out in adora-
ardly but “in twain.” It was not torn by tion of God’s Servant who accomplished
human hand but “from the top to the bot- to perfection the work with which He was
tom.” Such an event must have shocked entrusted.

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