The Crucifixion � Mark 15:24-37 (NLT)

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. A sign was fastened to the cross, announcing the charge against him. It read, �The King of the Jews.�

Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. �Ha! Look at you now!� they yelled at him. �You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!�

The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. �He saved others,� they scoffed, �but he can�t save himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!�

Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o�clock. Then at three o�clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, �Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?� which means �My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?�

Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. �Wait!� he said. �Let�s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!� Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.