Chapter 8: The Darkness

At noon, the sky went dark. Matthew, Mark and Luke record that darkness covered the entire land for three hours. Passover falls on a full moon, making a solar eclipse impossible. The Gospel writers offer no explanation. They simply record what happened, and the crowd fell silent beneath it.

Then at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.

JESUS“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”— Matthew 27:46

These were the opening words of Psalm 22 — a text the crowd would have recognized immediately. Jesus was not speaking in confusion. He was pointing to Scripture, telling everyone within earshot exactly what this moment meant.

Some in the crowd misunderstood and thought he was calling for Elijah. Then Jesus spoke again.

JESUS“I am thirsty.”— John 19:28

One of the soldiers soaked a sponge in wine vinegar, put it on a hyssop stalk, and lifted it to his lips. Psalm 69 had written this moment a thousand years before it happened.

Then came his final words.

JESUS“It is finished.”— John 19:30

JESUS“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”— Luke 23:46

He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The Gospels do not say his spirit left him. They say he gave it up. To the end, this was his choice.