Nine to Sunday

L-R Mark, me, and Rocky
Easter Sunday, my 2nd birthday
1958

Then the soldiers nailed Him to the cross. They divided His clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Him.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are You? Prove it by saving Yourself —and us, too, while you're at it!"

But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this Man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. Then at three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, My God, why have you abandoned Me?"

Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said, "I am thirsty." A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it to His lips. When Jesus tasted it, He said, "It is finished!" Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "This man truly was the Son of God!"

Early on Sunday morning as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.

The angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead!"

(From the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

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 saints to reign

He arose!

He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose! 1

1 CHRIST AROSE. Robert Lowry, 1874.