Mark 15:33-39
Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.
Read Mark 15:33-39 slowly noticing anything that stands out to you.
When we talk about what was accomplished through the death of Jesus, we are only describing parts of a whole that we cannot fully comprehend. In this passage we see at least three parts of the whole.
We have observed in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus had dominion over nature just as God intended all humans to have before they rebelled against God’s good and perfect way (Genesis 1:28). And as Jesus nears death, nature reacts in an ominous way. Darkness falls over the land at midday and light does not return until he dies three hours later.
Imagine seeing the darkness fall. Why do you think nature reacted to Jesus’ impending death this way?
At three o’clock, Jesus experiences for the first time what it is to be cut off from God. Though he never rebelled, in this moment he takes upon himself the rebellion of every human for all time and becomes an offering (2 Corinthians 5:21) for the sins of all humanity. This massive load of sin creates a chasm of distance between Jesus and the Father and he cries out: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Have you ever had a taste of what it feels like to be cut off from God because of your rebellion against God’s good and perfect way?
Finally, Jesus breathes his last breath and the curtain in the temple that symbolically separated unholy humans from the presence of a holy God tears apart, top to bottom.
Take a moment to contemplate these three facets of Jesus’ death: the reaction of nature, the sudden distance between Jesus and the Father, and the tearing of the curtain in the temple. Take note of anything that comes to mind as you meditate on these.
Read Mark 15:33-39 again noticing the two different reactions to Jesus’ death: the bystander’s and the Roman Officer’s.
On the cross, Jesus bore the consequence of our rebellion against God. He secured access to God for us through his innocent death, and there is nothing we can do to deserve this outrageous act of mercy. Though we can never fully understand how Jesus, who was God in the flesh, could be torn apart from God the Father, we can decide how we will respond.
The bystander saw Jesus as a morbid curiosity, but the Roman officer recognized him as the Son of God.
How do you see Jesus? Who is he to you? Take a few moments to contemplate these questions.
As you end this time of reflection, ask Jesus if there is anything he wants you to do in response. If you sense he is inviting you to a particular action, take a first step today.
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