“There was darkness over all the land… Jesus cried out with a loud voice… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'” (Matthew 27:45-46)

In the Old Testament, darkness is a sign of God’s displeasure and judgment (Exodus 10:21-23; Amos 8:9). It is a vivid picture of the great and horrible torments that Christ suffered for us on the cross.

He always called God His Father. But strikingly, on the cross, He did not cry, “My Father, my Father…” Bearing our sins, He was forsaken and cursed by God. Because of our transgressions, an unfathomable chasm came between God the Father and the Son He loves, in whom He is “well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 and 17:5).

This was the bottomless pit of the crucifixion. On the cross, in great and utter darkness, cursed and forsaken, Christ our Savior went to the lowest depths of hell and suffered the fullness of God’s wrath as our substitute.

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:50)

No one took His life. The cross and the nails did not kill him. He already suffered for our sins. Now, to complete His sacrifice, He also chose to die for us. Willingly and voluntarily, He chose to give up His life for our salvation.

Do you long to be set free from the guilt and slavery of sin?

On the cross, Christ suffered the fullness of God’s wrath and died in our place. Because of His sacrifice, there is complete forgiveness and salvation from sin and hell for all who are united to Him by faith.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Believe. Ask Christ to save your soul. He will do it.