DAY FOUR:  The Son of Man Dies

Please carefully read Mark 15:29–39 and answer the following questions.

The time frame mentioned here in Mark (the third, the sixth, and the ninth hours) reflected Jewish time. They reckoned time from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so this means that the third hour was 9 a.m., the sixth hour noon, and the ninth hour 3 p.m.  John used Roman time in his Gospel, so “the sixth hour” in John 19:14 is 6 a.m.[vi]

1.  What types of awful mockery did Jesus have to endure during His suffering on the cross (vv. 29–32)?

But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.  All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, "He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" (Psalm 22:6–8, nkjv)

2.  What awesome thing happened when the sixth hour (noon) came, and what do you think this all reflected (vv. 33–36)?

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?  Why are You so far from helping Me,

and from the words of My groaning?  O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent? (Psalm 22:1, 2, nkjv)

3.  What happened at last at the ninth hour, and how did this witness to both Jew and Gentile what God had done (vv. 37–39)? 

Jesus’ “loud cry” shows that He didn’t die the ordinary death of one crucified; normally a person suffered for a long period (often two or three days) and then lapsed into a coma and died. But Jesus was fully conscious to the end; His death came voluntarily and suddenly.  The centurion’s confession is the climax of Mark’s revelation of Jesus’ identity; a Gentile Roman officer’s response contrasts with the mockery we read of here.[vii] No doubt his response was based on what he saw of Jesus and on the final words He said.  Let’s close today thinking about Jesus’ seven statements from the cross.

1.  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34

2.  “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:43

3.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26, 27)

4.  “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

5.  Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" John 19:28

6.  “It is finished!” John 19:30

7.  “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”  Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46 (nkjv)

Scripture Memory:  Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today.

He canceled the _____________________ that ___________________________ the ______________________ against us. He _________________ it and _______________________ it by _____________________ it to ____________________cross. (Colossians 2:14, nlt)