At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours. At three o’clock Jesus cried in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani.” This means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
When some of the people standing there heard this, they said, “Listen! He is calling Elijah.” Someone there ran and got a sponge, filled it with vinegar, tied it to a stick, and gave it to Jesus to drink. He said, “We want to see if Elijah will come to take him down from the cross.”
Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died. The curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces, from the top to the bottom.
When the army officer who was standing in front of the cross saw what happened when Jesus died, he said, “This man really was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:33-39 NCV)
Darkness prevailed for a time, and hope seemed to be swallowed up in it. Jesus cried out in agony and surrender. The first cry was misunderstood but not the second one.
When Jesus cried out to surrender His life to the Father, there was a finality to it. The curtain separating and blocking entrance into God's presence was torn open.
A non-believing army officer believed, because He witnessed God's authority. What about you? Have you witnessed God's power and authority? Have you realized who Jesus is, as this Roman officer did? Have you believed? ©Word-Strong_2015