Section 2
The Lord Jesus was put on the cross at nine o'clock in the morning and remained there until three o'clock in the afternoon. This means that He was on the cross for six hours. These six hours may be divided into two groups of three hours each: the first from nine o'clock until noon, and the second from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon. During the first three hours, the Man- Savior suffered the persecution of men. The re ligious people ridiculed Him, and the Roman soldiers mocked Him. Even "one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (v. 39). Therefore, during the first three hours on the cross, the Lord was a victim of human persecution, and He suffered this persecution as a martyr.
SUFFERING THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
FOR SINNERS TO ACCOMPLISH THE VICARIOUS DEATH FOR THEM
In Luke 23:44-49 we see that during the second period of the six hours on the cross, the Man- Savior suffered the judgment of God for sinners to accomplish the vicarious death for them.
Luke 23:44 and 45a say, "And it was already about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun's