Jesus Calling Elijah - Mark 15:35

Mark wrote when they crucified Jesus, “they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which said, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, you that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, Save yourself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-five of his book, Mark shared how Jesus cried, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” where we read:

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elias.

The verse reads, “And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, ...” Mark began with the words, “and some of them” or “and a certain group of the people” “that stood by” which means “who were near and present”, “when they heard it” or “at the time the people were given the faculty for hearing, perceived, understood, noticed and discerned Jesus calling out to God”, “said” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Mark shared how the people standing near Jesus “said” the following words at the time they “heard” Jesus cry out to God.

The verse goes on to say, “... Behold, he calls Elias.” Mark continued with the word, “Behold” or “lo, look, see and consider”, “he calls Elias” which means “Jesus summons, addresses and invites Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah”. Mark shared how the people thought Jesus was “calling out” to Elijah the prophet.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how the people near Jesus not only heard His words, but also believed He was “calling out” to Elijah the prophet. Because Jesus said “Eloi, Eloi”, they observed Him as saying “Elijah” whom they respected, but Jesus was actually talking to His Father God. Regardless of these people's perception, Jesus was enduring the process God had in mind for the “salvation” of mankind. God's Son Jesus took the “sin” of the whole world upon Himself, and now those who believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their “sins” and receive “eternal life” with His Father God.

Next time Mark shares how, “one ran an filled a sponge full of vinegar”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".