Rhapsody of Realities July 16th 2025, THE REMARKABLE DEATH OF JESUS

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God (Mark 15:39).

The death of Jesus was extraordinary and filled with supernatural events that also confirmed His deity. After being falsely accused, arrested, and crucified, Jesus hung on the Cross while the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him (Matthew 27:42-43). Even the two thieves crucified alongside Him joined in the mockery (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32).

Then, from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3 p.m.), darkness covered the whole earth. This supernatural darkness lasted for three hours, signifying something beyond the natural realm. At about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

This was the moment when the sins of the whole world were laid upon Jesus. The Father, who is too holy to behold sin (Habakkuk 1:13), turned His back, and Jesus, who had never been separated from the Father, cried out in anguish. This separation was the cup Jesus prayed about in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Matthew 26:39).

It was not death He dreaded but separation from the Father, which was a result of Him becoming sin for humanity. The Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Then, with a loud voice, He said, “…Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit…” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus commanded His own death. He consciously and deliberately handed over His spirit to the Father. Jesus had earlier declared, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again…I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again…” (John 10:17-18).

When Jesus yielded up the ghost, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting us access to the Father’s presence. Even the centurion overseeing the crucifixion, upon witnessing how Jesus died, declared, “…Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).

The manner of His death testified of His divinity. Jesus’ death was no ordinary death. It was the ultimate sacrifice that brought salvation to all mankind.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the death of Jesus whose blood was the propitiation for sins. I rejoice in the finished work of Christ, knowing that He laid down His life for me and took it up again in victory. I live triumphantly, enjoying the benefits of His sacrificial love, now and always. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
John 10:17-18
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Luke 23:46-49
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Matthew 27:50-54
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 24:1-27 & Psalms 1-6

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke 9:10-17 & Joshua 12

Extract From Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

DAILY AFFIRMATIONS:

I am empowered me to do great wonders and miracles and to effect positive changes in my world and in my health, family, and finances. I enjoy God’s boundless grace; it is at work in me continuously. No weapon of evil, disease, sickness, or death fashioned against me can prosper because I am favored and graced. Poverty isn’t a part of my life, for I’m an heir of God; therefore, the silver is mine, and the gold is mine; the world belongs to me. The ability of God is at work in me today, and I’m conscious of it! I don’t function in my own ability or strength, for God’s inherent ability is in me. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I will never be weak.

I recognize and affirm who the Lord has made me to be. I am one spirit with the Lord; therefore, Satan and his minions have no right to run rampage or perpetrate evil in my life or my environment. I refuse every symptom of sickness or disease from my body. I rejoice because the Lord Jesus has overcome this world for me. Divine life is working in my body! From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, my entire being is energized by the Holy Spirit who lives in me and invigorates me through and through. Everything connected to me is infused with eternal life and divine energy. I have the Spirit of life living in me, guiding me, energizing me, and strengthening me.

That joy produces laughter deep in my spirit, causing my health to bloom and flourish. Nothing can weigh me down. I know no depression or oppression because I am buoyed by joy unspeakable overflowing in my heart. I walk in health, divine wisdom, and in the joy and peace of the Spirit today. I walk in the light of my inheritance in Christ, in power and grace, living in divine health and supernatural prosperity. I am victorious. I am a success. I am a blessing to my world. My life is excellent and full of glory. I walk in, and manifest, the dominion of Christ today. I flourish in health and I walk in ever-increasing glory all my days in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Speak in tongues.