The Death & Burial of Jesus
November 19, 2019
Commentary
Sacrifice may cause others to mock you. He saved others; Himself He cannot save. (v. 31) Sacrifice may cause others to abandon you. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (v. 34) Sacrifice may lead others to believe. Surely this man was the Son of God! (v. 39) Sacrifice may bring forgiveness. Sacrifice may show full dependence on God. Father, I commit my spirit even in pain and suffering.
From the sixth hour to the ninth hour, darkness came over the land (v. 33). At the end, Jesus cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (v. 34). Some misunderstood and thought He was calling Elijah (v. 35). In this moment, Jesus experienced separation, fully entering human suffering so He could bear sin completely for us, so that we might be forgiven and restored into a right relationship with God forever. This shows His great love for us clearly.
A soldier offered Him a drink (v. 36). Then Jesus gave up His life (v. 37). At that moment, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (v. 38), opening the way for all to come into God’s presence. The centurion declared, Truly this man was the Son of God! (v. 39). Women who followed Him watched from a distance (vv. 40–41).
Because the Sabbath was near, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body (vv. 42–43). Pilate was surprised that He had already died (vv. 44–45). This showed that Jesus willingly gave His life. Joseph, with Nicodemus, prepared His body and placed it in a tomb (vv. 46–47), showing honor and care for Him after His death, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating courage, faith, and devotion in a difficult moment. They honored Jesus with courage, showing faith and devotion despite fear, risk, and opposition during that time.
Application
I think about Jesus giving His life for me. Do I remain faithful in hard times? Do I trust God when I feel alone? Am I living with courage for Him? Do I truly depend on You each day? I want to rely on You, remember Your love, and choose obedience daily, standing firm in faith even in the face of trials and difficulties.
Mark 15:33–47 (NET)
33 Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 Around three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to take him down!” 37 But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. 38 And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” 40 There were also women, watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they had followed him and given him support. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were there too.
42 Now when evening had already come, since it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a highly regarded member of the council, who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him if he had been dead for some time. 45 When Pilate was informed by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 After Joseph bought a linen cloth and took down the body, he wrapped it in the linen and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone across the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was placed.
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