all eyes on jesus | Truly, Surely

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:33-39, NIV

In Jesus’ day expediency meant the city’s landfill and crucifixion sites were close together. Rubbish was piled up and burned outside Jerusalem’s walls, where there would have been rats, scavenging dogs, excrement, and soiled rags. And, very likely, the decomposing corpses of crucified criminals whose families were too afraid to claim them for burial. The crosses on which the crucified hung were positioned on high ground or public roads, warning travellers of the consequences of disobeying Rome. No one can confirm Golgotha’s exact location, but it is thought the backdrop to Jesus’ crucifixion was a foul, stinking place.

Very few people witnessed Jesus’ terrible death there. Only some women, John, a handful of cursing bystanders, one or two Roman soldiers, perhaps beggars picking over the litter and travellers on the road. For hours nothing was heard but weeping, a thief’s accusations, soldiers laughing, the mocking of a small crowd, and Jesus’ blood dripping to the ground with the rasp of each agonising breath. The onlookers witnessed Jesus’ appalling sacrifice and remarkable surrender, not realising it removed every barrier to the bond of friendship and trust that God has always been invested in. In one terrible act, Jesus restored our connection with the Father forever.

As the gruesome scene unfolded at Golgotha, the soldiers and onlookers revealed a range of emotions - mockery, indifference, and callousness. Yet, the centurion emerges with a revelation that echoes through the corridors of time: "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39, ESV).

What revelation of Jesus do you need today? The Holy Spirit can help you understand something more of what Jesus' sacrifice meant for you. You simply need to ask.

Let's pray
Thank you for the cross and for the price you paid, Lord. I will never fully understand the extent of your sacrifice, but I am grateful. As I imagine myself at the foot of your cross now, I wait for you to reveal something new to me today. Amen.