On that day in history, the sins of the world were paid for! This was the day on which "it pleased the Lord to...make his soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10). That day, the Lord "laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).
Yes, there was great sorrow and travail that day. During the awful physical darkness from noon to 3:00 p.m. (Matthew 27:45), Jesus had cried out in utter anguish: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). The earth itself shook and rumbled as the creation was torn asunder in reaction to the horrific judgment of the Creator for sin (Matthew 27:51).
But then came the victory cry, "It is finished!" (John 19:30), and, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). His suffering ended, the payment completed, eternal propitiation accomplished, Jesus laid down His human life to await the great resurrection that God might give "assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).
* Dr. Morris is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
