As a registered nurse I have always found the verse in Mark 15:37 quite interesting. "With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last." I have seen many people die, children and adults alike, and no one ever seems to have the strength of a loud cry within themselves just prior to their last breath. It's obvious from this passage alone (Mark 15:33-47) that Jesus died no ordinary death of one who was cruicified. Normally a person nailed to a cross would have suffered extreme exhaustion for a long period of days (often 2-3) until finally lapsing into a coma of unconsciousness before dying. But Jesus was alert to the very end; "His death came voluntarily and suddenly." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck). This unusual crucifiction experience surprised Pilate (see vs. 44).
So, when I looked up the original word for 'loud' in this passage, I was not surprised to learn that the orginal Greek word megas is translated more times as great (at least 155 times) than loud (only 33 times). Megas is usually translated as great as in spacious, weighty, long and old -- the end of an extreme of something. But here the word is used to describe intensity and its degrees as with effort, affections or emotions. It carries with it a sign of a certain weight of boldness and a lengthy measure of vigor. To me it shows beyond a doubt that His whole heart and His whole soul were displaying an ardency of affection -- beyond what I can ever imagine. Jesus was resigned to fulfill the will of the Father with megas drive and purpose.
I long to live my life with megas strength of heart as Christ did -- right up until His last breath. So that in whatever I do I would never fail to put forth my most vigorous effort so that when all else fails me I would always be found crying with a loud voice to my heavenly Father.
On this Good Friday, I hope you take more than enough time to lift a megas voice to the God who so desired the redemption of mankind that He sent His one and only Son to die.
Julie
