A Message for Church Leaders from Matthew 27:45–46
Matthew 27:45–46 records one of the most solemn moments in all of Scripture: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’”
This brief passage stands at the center of the crucifixion narrative and reveals a mystery that stretches beyond the comprehension of human language. Yet it is precisely here, in the darkness of the cross, that church leaders find profound insight into the nature of redemption, the cost of ministry, and the character of the Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep.
The Darkness Over the Land
Matthew records that darkness covered the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, approximately from noon until three in the afternoon. In the ancient world, midday was the brightest part of the day. The sun stood high, shadows were minimal, and visibility was at its greatest. Yet at this moment, when the Son of God hung upon the cross, creation itself entered into a period of unnatural darkness.
Throughout Scripture, darkness frequently symbolizes divine judgment and the gravity of sin. The prophets often described the day of the Lord in terms of cosmic disturbance, where light is withdrawn and the heavens tremble before the justice of God. The darkness at Calvary signals that something far greater than a Roman execution is taking place. The cross is not merely a historical tragedy but a theological event in which the weight of human sin meets the holiness of God.
For church leaders, this moment reveals the seriousness of the gospel message that has been entrusted to the church. The ministry of preaching, teaching, and shepherding cannot be separated from the reality that sin required such a profound and costly atonement. The darkness reminds the church that redemption was not achieved through convenience or sentiment but through the suffering of the righteous Son who bore the sins of the world.
The Cry from the Cross
At about the ninth hour, Jesus cries out with a loud voice, quoting the opening line of Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
This cry is not merely an expression of physical agony. It is a declaration rooted in Scripture, drawing the attention of those present to a psalm that begins with anguish but ultimately ends in vindication and praise. Yet the words themselves reveal the depth of the moment. The One who had eternally dwelt in perfect communion with the Father now experiences the dreadful reality of bearing the sin of humanity.
Church leaders must approach this moment with reverence. The cry of abandonment does not indicate a collapse of faith but rather exposes the cost of substitutionary atonement. Christ stands in the place of sinners, bearing the judgment that humanity deserved. The holiness of God confronts the sin placed upon the Son, and the Savior enters fully into the consequences of that burden.
This moment underscores the central proclamation of the church: that salvation was accomplished through the sacrificial work of Christ. Leadership within the church must always return to this foundation. Programs, strategies, and institutional concerns can never replace the central message of the cross. The church exists because the Son of God endured this moment of forsakenness so that sinners might be reconciled to God.
The Faithfulness of the Suffering Servant
Although the words of Jesus express abandonment, the address itself reveals unwavering trust. Jesus cries, “My God, My God.” Even in the deepest suffering, the relationship between the Son and the Father is not denied. The cry is directed toward God, not away from Him.
This truth carries significant implications for those entrusted with spiritual leadership. Ministry often involves seasons of profound difficulty, moments when clarity fades and the burdens of responsibility weigh heavily upon those who serve. Yet the example of Christ demonstrates that faithfulness does not depend upon the absence of suffering but upon continued trust in the character of God.
The cross reveals that obedience may lead through darkness before it leads to resurrection. Leaders who shepherd congregations must therefore cultivate a theology that recognizes both the suffering and the triumph found within the Christian story. The path of discipleship often mirrors the pattern of the cross: humility before exaltation, sacrifice before glory, and perseverance before reward.
The Fulfillment of Scripture
By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus places His suffering within the unfolding plan of God revealed throughout the Scriptures. Psalm 22 describes the experience of the righteous sufferer surrounded by mockery, pierced hands and feet, divided garments, and public humiliation. Each detail resonates with the events of the crucifixion.
For church leaders, this connection reinforces the unity and reliability of the biblical narrative. The cross is not an unexpected tragedy but the fulfillment of promises spoken centuries earlier. God’s redemptive purposes unfold according to His sovereign design, even when circumstances appear chaotic or hopeless.
The ministry of the church must continually point people to this confidence in the faithfulness of God. The same God who fulfilled His promises through the suffering of Christ continues to guide the church through the complexities of history. Leadership rooted in Scripture helps congregations see beyond immediate circumstances and trust in the larger purposes of God.
The Silence Between the Cry and the Victory
The cry of abandonment occurs shortly before Jesus declares, “It is finished.” Between these moments lies a period of profound silence in the Gospel narrative. The darkness remains, the cross stands, and the suffering continues.
For those who lead within the church, this interval offers an important reminder about the nature of God’s work. Redemption often unfolds in ways that are not immediately visible. The cross appeared to many as a moment of defeat, yet it was the decisive victory over sin and death.
Church leaders frequently serve in contexts where the fruits of labor are not instantly apparent. Faithfulness may seem unnoticed, and progress may appear slow. Yet the cross demonstrates that God’s most powerful work can occur in moments that outwardly appear dark or silent.
The Shepherd Who Understands
The suffering of Christ at the cross also reveals that the Savior understands the depths of human pain. He entered fully into the experience of suffering, rejection, and anguish. This reality shapes the pastoral calling within the church.
Leaders are called to reflect the compassion of the Shepherd who willingly entered the brokenness of the world. Ministry involves walking alongside those who face grief, doubt, and hardship. The cross assures the church that Christ is not distant from human suffering but has borne its weight Himself.
Therefore, leadership within the church must be marked by humility, empathy, and sacrificial love. The authority of Christian leadership flows not from power or status but from the example of Christ, who humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross.
The Hope Beyond the Darkness
While Matthew 27:45–46 emphasizes the darkness and the cry of forsakenness, the larger narrative of the Gospel moves toward resurrection. The darkness does not have the final word. The cry of anguish is followed by the triumph of redemption.
Church leaders must therefore hold together both the gravity of the cross and the hope of the empty tomb. The message entrusted to the church is one of profound realism about sin and suffering, yet it is equally a message of unshakable hope grounded in the victory of Christ.
The cross reminds the church that God’s redemptive work often unfolds through moments that appear dark and incomprehensible. Yet even in those moments, the purposes of God remain steadfast.
Conclusion
Matthew 27:45–46 invites the church to stand in reverent awe before the mystery of the cross. The darkness over the land, the cry of abandonment, and the suffering of the Son all testify to the depth of God’s commitment to redeem a fallen world.
For church leaders, this passage serves as a constant reminder of the foundation upon which all ministry rests. The cross reveals the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, and the unwavering faithfulness of Christ. Leadership shaped by this reality will remain anchored in the gospel, sustained by the example of the suffering Savior, and confident in the hope that emerges from the darkest hour of human history.
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