🕘🕒Significance of the Third and Ninth Hours

Mark 15:25 - It was the third hour (nine o’clock in the morning) when they crucified Him.

Num 28:3-8 - Say to them: ‘This is the food offering you are to present to Yahweh: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, together with a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives. This is the regular burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to Yahweh. The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to Yahweh at the sanctuary. Offer the second lamb at twilight, along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you offer in the morning. This is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh.

Luke 23:33-34 - When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

• Morning prayer: Jesus prays at the third hour (nine o’clock in the morning) 

John 1:29, 36 - John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

1 Pt. 1:18-19 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Pt.2:22-25 - “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth (Is. 53:9).” When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray (Is. 53:4-6 LXX),” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Heb. 9:14  -  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Heb. 5:1-10 - Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

In the same way, Christ did not take on Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (Ps. 2:7)” And He says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4).”

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Heb. 7:1-10 - This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 

In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Heb. 7:11-15 - If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears.

Acts 2:14-15 - Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning (the third hour)!

• Sacrifices during Jesus’ time were at 9 a.m. (3rd hour) and 3 p.m. (9th hour)

Acts 3:1 - One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon (the ninth hour). 

Acts 10:1-3 - At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon (the ninth hour) he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Acts 10:25-33 - As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 

So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon (the ninth hour). 

Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Acts 10:34-48 - Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

“We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a cross, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name.”

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. 

Matt. 27:46 - About three in the afternoon (the ninth hour) Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 

• Evening prayer: Jesus prays at the ninth hour (3 p.m.), quoting David

Ps. 22:1-5 - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Ps. 22:6-31 - But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in Yahweh,” they say, “let Yahweh rescue him. Let Him deliver him, since He delights in him.”

Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

But You, Yahweh, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

I will declare Your Name to my people;  in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear Yahweh, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel! For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him but has listened to his cry for help.

From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear You I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek Yahweh will praise Him—may your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to Yahweh and He rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—those who cannot keep themselves alive.

Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

John 19:30 - When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

It isn't how the psalm begins that tells the story, it's how it ends. Jesus quotes the first line but suggests the rest (a pun I truly did not see until after writing). He calls to mind the prophetic aspect of the psalm, where the people declare of Yahweh, "He has done it!" And what are Jesus' LAST words on the cross?

"It is finished."

Tetelestai in the Greek, a term used to denote:

1) A debt paid in full (commercial use of the term) - Col. 2:14 - [God] cancelled the record of debt that stood against us...nailing it to the cross.

2) Sentence completed (judicial use)

3) Mission Accomplished (military use) - John 17:4 - I have glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do.

4) Sacrifice accepted (priestly use).

In saying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" Jesus is not feeling abandoned, He is reminding people to pay attention to the promises of a faithful God who is steadfast in His love for us. And He says it during the time for prayer.