Sermon Synopsis
This sermon reflects on the seven cries of Jesus from the cross, with special focus on the three hours of supernatural darkness during His crucifixion. It reveals Christ’s suffering under both human cruelty and divine judgment, highlighting His forgiveness, compassion, and completed work of redemption. The central cry of abandonment underscores the holiness of God and the cost of sin, while “It is finished” declares salvation fully accomplished. The message invites hearers to respond in gratitude, faith, and hope in the risen Savior who will come again.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
The Seven Cries from the Cross
Text: Mark 15; The Three Hours of Darkness
Introduction
Good morning. It is so good to be back, and blessed Easter to you all.
This morning I will be speaking on the seven cries, or seven sayings, from the cross spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our focus will be on the three hours of darkness, recorded in Mark 15.
Mark tells us that it was the third hour when they crucified Him. In Jewish time, the day began at 6:00 a.m., so the third hour was 9:00 a.m. When the sixth hour came—12:00 noon—there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, which is 3:00 p.m. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The Lord hung on the cross from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—three hours in daylight, followed by three hours of complete darkness.
The Supernatural Darkness
The darkness began at noon, when the sun was at its apex in the bright Middle Eastern sky. This was an astounding miracle. The darkness was supernatural.
It was not caused by a solar eclipse. The crucifixion took place during Passover, which occurs at a full moon, and a solar eclipse cannot occur during a full moon because the moon is on the opposite side of the earth.
The prophet Amos wrote:
“I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in broad daylight.”
God fulfilled this prophecy. This darkness came from God the Father.
Historical Confirmation of the Darkness
This supernatural event was confirmed by secular historians. Roman historians such as Thallus and Phlegon recorded the darkness. Various explanations were proposed—dust storms and other natural causes—but we know for sure that it happened, and that it happened suddenly.
Luke records that the sunlight failed. It was like a power outage—someone turned off the light. There was no starlight, no moonlight, no other light. It was pitch dark.
These were sacred hours when the Son of God suffered under the hand of a holy God. The darkness lasted three hours, long enough to make a lasting impact and long enough for historians to record it.
Silence at the Cross
During an eclipse, nature often grows silent. Insects stop making noise. Imagine the scene. Before the darkness there was commotion—jeering, shouting, cursing, mocking. Then suddenly the light went out.
There was no more abusive language. Total darkness. Total silence. No wagging tongues, no jeering—only horror, amazement, shock, fear, suspense, and anxious whispering among those present.
The Earthquake and the Torn Veil
The Gospel of Matthew records:
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.”
Scientists and geologists have studied historical records and soil layers disrupted by earthquakes. NASA records and geological studies suggest that an earthquake of approximately magnitude 6.3 occurred on Friday, April 3, AD 33. A documentary titled The Crucifixion Quake identifies this event.
What Happened During the Three Hours of Darkness
We do not know much about what happened during those three hours because the Gospels do not describe it in detail. This is holy ground. God did not want us to see what transpired between the Father and the Son.
What we do know is that before the darkness, Jesus spoke three sayings:
After the darkness, He spoke three more:
At the end of the darkness, Jesus cried out:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The First Saying: “Father, Forgive Them”
As they crucified Him, Jesus audibly interceded for those who were crucifying Him. The Greek text suggests repetition—He said it again and again:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Had He not prayed this prayer, the angels of heaven would have rushed down to rescue Him.
In Matthew 26, when Peter drew his sword, Jesus said:
“Put your sword in its place… Do you not think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me more than twelve legions of angels?”
A Roman legion consisted of 6,000 soldiers. Twelve legions means 72,000 angels standing ready. One angel in the Old Testament could destroy an entire army. If those angels had been released, the world would not have survived.
But the command never came. The angels only heard:
“Father, forgive them.”
The Purpose of the Cross
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:8:
“If they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Jews and Gentiles alike were responsible. They spat on Him, mocked Him, beat Him until His face was unrecognizable. Isaiah said:
“His appearance was marred beyond human likeness.”
Yet on the cross, He kept praying:
“Father, forgive them.”
It was not only the Romans and the Jews who put Him on the cross. It was you and me.
The Second Saying: “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
Two thieves were crucified with Him. At first, both mocked Him. Then one thief repented. He saw something different in Jesus.
Unlike other criminals, Jesus did not struggle or curse. Isaiah said:
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.”
Jesus willingly laid down His life. His dignity, calmness, and forgiveness transformed the heart of that thief.
The thief cried:
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Jesus answered immediately:
“Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
One thief was saved, one was lost. The saved thief assures us there is hope. The lost thief warns us not to delay. Today is the day of salvation.
The Third Saying: Care for His Mother
Jesus saw His mother and the disciple John. He entrusted Mary to John’s care.
He called her “woman,” a respectful term, not “mother,” correcting any misunderstanding about her role. Mary herself said:
“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Even on the cross, Jesus was thinking of others—and of us.
The Meaning of the Darkness
For the first three hours, Jesus suffered under the hand of men.
For the second three hours, He suffered under the hand of a righteous God.
In the first three hours, He was the sinner’s Lamb.
In the second three hours, He was made sin.
For the first time, the holy God was separated from His beloved Son.
The Central Cry: “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
Spurgeon called this the saddest cry from the cross.
Jesus did not say “Father.” He said, “My God.” Fellowship was broken. This was the bitter cup He prayed about in Gethsemane.
This cry comes from Psalm 22. The answer is found in verse 3:
“Yet You are holy.”
Because God is holy, sin had to be judged.
“I Thirst”
After the cry, the light returned. Jesus said, “I thirst,” to fulfill Scripture:
“For my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” (Psalm 69:21)
Even the soldiers fulfilled prophecy unknowingly.
“It Is Finished”
This was a cry of victory. In Greek, one word: Tetelestai.
It meant:
Salvation was completed during the three hours of darkness, when Christ, our great High Priest, entered the Holy of Holies and offered His own blood.
The Final Cry: “Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit”
Jesus voluntarily yielded up His spirit. No one killed Him. He laid down His life.
Fellowship was restored. Judgment was satisfied. Salvation was secured.
Closing Picture: The Lamb of God
Two lambs were offered daily at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.—the exact hours Jesus hung on the cross.
Isaac once asked Abraham, “Where is the lamb?”
Abraham answered, “God will provide.”
Years later, John the Baptist declared:
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Conclusion
This took place on Friday, AD 33. But thank God—we celebrate Easter.
He is risen. He is ascended. He is coming again.
Closing Prayer
(Prayer preserved and lightly refined for flow, content unchanged)
Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude…
Amen.