Death and Life

The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 15 records Jesus’s condemnation, crucifixion, and final moments on earth. In this chapter, we see only a short, sanitized glimpse of all that Jesus had to endure in order to live out God’s will. He was relentlessly mocked, verbally taunted and mercilessly beaten.  Sinners, criminals, religious leaders and common folk--many who had surely heard of or witnessed Jesus’s many teachings and miracles, some even active followers and friends of Jesus-- stood by and did nothing as He was unjustly murdered.  While it is incredibly difficult to stomach, the movie The Passion graphically and painstakingly illustrates just how severe the suffering, pain, brutality and injustices Jesus had to endure in His final hours.  

At nine in the morning, Jesus was nailed to the cross alongside others who committed the crimes they were punished for. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34).  As we saw in the previous chapter in the garden of Gethsemane, in this moment Jesus felt overwhelmed, full of sorrow, and forsaken by God the Father (Mark 14:32-34). It seems unimaginable, but even Jesus himself at times felt overwhelmed, full of sorrow and abandoned by God.  

Mark 15:35 goes on to say, “Some of the bystanders misunderstood Jesus”. Again, as so often seen in Jesus’s short life and ministry, He was grossly misunderstood by the very people He died to save. “They thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!” Some commentaries say that this sour wine was the common drink of the Romans and was given to Jesus in response to His thirst. Other perspectives believe it is just another example of the cruelty shown to Jesus in His final hours.  Some say this sour wine was a concoction that would have given Jesus strength and sustained Him there longer, to see if another miracle was about to be performed. In this perspective, Jesus’ suffering was purposely prolonged, simply to see if a dazzling spectacle was to follow. Either way, this verse surely fulfills one of many Old Testament prophecies. Psalm 69:18-21 says:
 
“Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies. You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.”
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Soon after, “Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last breath.” The Amplified Bible provides further insight and detail to this verse adding “But Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His last [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]”. In that moment, Jesus left His human form to return to His Father.

“In the same moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38). Those unfamiliar with Jewish custom may find this verse strange and out of place. However, it may just be the most significant verse to this entire brutal chapter.

More than an elaborate temple decoration, this curtain was located inside the “holiest of holy” sectors within the temple. This area was believed to be the place where God dwelled within this temple. This part of the temple was unquestionably off limits to all except for a select few of the religious elite who endured extensive purification rituals to be deemed worthy of entering into God’s holy presence. It is said that those who entered wore a rope with bells around their ankles so that if they were struck dead for being impure in the presence of God, others would be aware by the lack of sound and be removed by pulling the rope from that part of the sanctuary.  

This was the religious context in which Jesus lived. These were the empty religious rituals that Jesus died to abolish. Before Jesus’s life and death on the cross, only the holiest of holies had access to God. At the same moment that Jesus took His last breath, the curtain or “gate” that divided you, me and every human from our God was torn away. Jesus’ death on the cross - amidst jeering, insults and unimaginable physical abuse- forever changed how we communicate with our Father. Jesus’ suffering created a one to one personal relationship with God and us. No longer was there private, VIP-only access, but every person-- man, woman, child, sinner, saint, of every race, nationality and religious group--was given direct access to the God of the universe.  His death washed away our sins allowing us to know joy, peace and the eternal life offered only through His sacrifice.  

Jesus endured unimaginable pain and suffering to call us to a personal relationship with the God of the universe. The question that remains is what are we willing to sacrifice or endure to sustain this relationship so that Jesus’ suffering was not in vain?  

Prayer:
Jesus, we hurt to know what you went through on the cross, but we know that you use all things for good. Do not allow us to be a part of the crowd that mocked, hurt and undervalued your sacrifice. Let us show gratitude by walking in your presence each day. Reveal yourself to us through your word so we may better understand you. Give us the strength and courage to shoulder our burdens like you shouldered the cross. Let us endure and sacrifice whatever is necessary to honor you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.