Day 8

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On Day 8 of Journey to the Cross as we see Jesus take His final breath and commit His very life into the hands of the Father. Jesus was mocked until the end, and yet, with the strength, He had left, was able to cry out that our debt was paid in full. It is finished, finally, and forever.
“... then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” Mark 15:37

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

    my body also will rest securely,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence,

    with eternal pleasures at your right hand”

Gospel Reading: Mark 15

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"

Reflection Time

Darkness covers the Earth.. prophecy is being fulfilled.. our Savior takes His final breath and suddenly, ‘it is finished.’

A shifting is happening from what man did, to what God can do…

From how we caused Jesus to suffer, to whatGod can do through and with our suffering, through His suffering servant.

Jesus, in His full humanity and full divinity, felt forsaken: ’God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself at the cross’. Jesus was mocked until the end, and yet, with the strength He had left, was able to cry-out that our debt was paid in full. The veil was torn, and with it came down the wall of separation between God and man… it ushered in our free access to the throne of grace by the cross.

Questions for Reflection

Imagine the tone of Jesus’ voice as he cries out “it is finished.”

What does His response invoke in you? What does this mean for your life?

How does it feel to know that your debt has been ‘paid in full’ by Jesus?

Meditate on what the weight of that truth feels like. Allow yourself to thank God and worship Him for this reality. 

Consider the forgiveness you have received from Jesus- how does this move your heart? 

If you have not received the free gift of forgiveness that Jesus has for you, and would like to, or perhaps, would like to recommit your life to Him we invite you to say this prayer:
As each line of the prayer is read, we will pause, giving you space to pray it for yourself.

Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior.

I need your forgiveness and accept the grace you have for me.

I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead.

Today, I turn from my old ways and I acknowledge you as Lord of my life. 

Come reign in my heart, and transform me into your likeness. 

Thank you for your faithfulness to me. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.