The 6 Greatest Hours in History

Painting of Jesus from Iraq when Dan served as a US Marine

"But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

It's 10:06 a.m. I'm sitting on the back porch of the cabin. The Coosa River is as calm as a sleeping baby. The sun is shining. Birds are twittering. In the distance, a dove has been cooing continuously for about 15 minutes. Two thousand plus years ago, my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, had now hung on the cross 1 hour and 8 minutes...

Very early that morning, the leading priests, elders, and teachers of the law had met to discuss Jesus. They bound Him and took Him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

Pilate soon realized that these Jewish leaders had arrested this Man out of envy. Jesus was innocent, so he offered to release this "King of the Jews". But the priests had stirred up the crowd against Him, and they shouted angrily, "Crucify Him!"

Barabbas was released in His stead, and Jesus was brutally beaten.

The soldiers then dragged Him to the Praetorium, dressed Him in a purple robe, and shoved a crown of thorns on His head. They struck Him and spit in the face of God.

The gospel of Mark records that Jesus was nailed to a cross at nine o'clock that morning. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock in the afternoon. Then Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last. After 6 grueling hours on the cross, His work on earth was finished.

At that moment, the curtain guarding the Holy of Holies in the Jews' Temple was in torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs were opened. The centurion standing near the cross of Jesus said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" (from the gospels of Matthew and Mark)

Jesus was buried.

End of story?

Oh, no, beloved. Not by a long shot!

Now I make known to you the gospel: Jesus died for all people. He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day and appeared to Peter and to the twelve and to more than five hundred amazed witnesses. And whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life!

Up from 
the grave 
He arose;
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes'
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saint to reign.
He arose!
He arose!
Hallelujah!
Christ arose! 1

1 UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE. Robert Lowry, 1826-1899.