So Jesus was led out to the Place of the Skull, where they crucified Him with two robbers. Those passing by mocked Jesus, saying "So You can destroy the Temple and build it back in three days! Then save Yourself If You are God's Son, come down from the cross!" Even the robbers being crucified with Him mocked
+ + + THE BLESSED ROBBER + + +
But one of the robbers, "Have you no fear of God? We are paying for what we did, but this man has done no wrong." Then he turned to Jesus and said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." Jesus answered, "Today you will be with Me in paradise."
+ JESUS’ WORDS FROM THE CROSS +
Jesus prayed for the people even as they were crucifying Him. "Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they are doing," He prayed.
Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and some other women. One of these was Mary Magdalene. Seeing His mother and His disciple John standing there, Jesus said to His mother, This is your son." To John, He said, "This is your Mother."
Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You deserted Me?" This is the first line of one of David's Psalms. It goes on:
PS 22
All who see Me toss their heads and sneer, "Let God save Him, if He is His friend; let Him save Him."
Oh Lord, My Helper, quickly, help Me. I will praise You to My brothers.
Praise the Lord, for He has not left the helpless Man;
When He called out to Him, He heard Him.
The whole earth, from end to end, will know this,
And come to know God.
Even people not yet born will praise the Lord.
+ + +
From noon until three o'clock, there was no sun, the whole land was dark. The Temple veil, that closed off the Most Holy Place, was torn right down the middle. This was the holiest part of the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant, with God's throne on it, stayed. Some forty years later the Temple itself was destroyed, never to be rebuilt.
Calling out in a great voice, "Father, into Your hands I give My Spirit," Jesus breathed His last. A Roman soldier who saw all this, said, "This was a great and good Man," and others said the same.
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