📅 February 19: Mark 15, 16 - Christ's Passion and Resurrection: Journey Through Trials and Triumph

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February 19: Mark 15, 16 - Christ’s Passion and Resurrection: Journey Through Trials and Triumph

Introduction

Mark 15 and 16 present a whirlwind journey fraught with accusations, trials, and suffering, ultimately culminating in the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we traverse these monumental events, we encounter the paradox of the Savior - humiliated, yet majestic, slaughtered, yet victorious.

Mark 15: The Trial and Crucifixion

We find Jesus in the hands of Pilate, before the crowd, subjected to ridicule and abuse. Despite His innocence, He is sentenced to death.

Key Verse: “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” - Mark 15:15

Mark 16: The Resurrection

In a plot twist that shatters despair, we witness the resurrection of Christ. The tomb is empty, and an angel, appearing as a young man in a white robe, delivers the glad tidings to the women.

Key Verse: "Don’t be alarmed … You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. "- Mark 16:6

Key Themes and Reflections

1. Human Failure & Divine Redemption: The sweeping account asserts the magnitude of human failure against divine redemption. Despite betrayal from one of His own and denial by His closest disciple, Christ’s purpose remains unaltered - our redemption.

2. Hope in the Midst of Despair: Christ’s resurrection reinforces the promise of life after death, and hope that conquers despair. It reminds us that our journey doesn’t end with death, but transcends into eternal life.

Today’s Application

In Mark 15 and 16, we’re reminded that, like Christ, we may face trials and tribulations. Yet we have reassurance in His promise of triumph over the worldly. Every ending paves way for a new beginning, every death brings forth life.

Hidden Gem

Did you notice that each Gospel portrays slightly different reactions to the empty tomb? In Mark, the women flee in fear and amazement. This human response showcases the authentic and relatable nature of the bible.

Reflective Q&A

What does the story of Jesus’s trial and crucifixion teach us?

A: It teaches us about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice to fulfill His divine mission and redeem humanity, even in the face of extreme suffering.

What is the significance of the resurrection?

A: The resurrection signifies Christ’s victory over death, asserting the promise of eternal life and giving us hope in times of despair.

Join the Discussion

Share your thoughts on these chapters and insights you’ve gleaned. What verses resonated with you the most?

See You Tomorrow in 1 Corinthians 1, 2

Prepare to dive into the deep waters of Paul’s wisdom. Confront the crossroad of worldly philosophy and the truth of the Crucified Christ.

Blessings, as we journey together into the depths of God’s enduring story. Mark 15 and 16 demonstrate the unbeatable hope of the resurrection after the stark reality of the crucifixion, and this remains a comforting beacon in our lives, no matter the trials and tribulations that come our way.

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Mark 15,16
These final chapters of Mark’s Gospel (chs 15, 16, which are read together in February) must make us more aware of our responsibilities to our Master, the Father and each other. The words contained in the 15th chapter give much food for thought, demonstrating what our Lord was willing to do that his people might have hope. Remarkably the people who shouted “Hosanna to the son of David” on the Mount of Olives a few days earlier, were soon to shout “Crucify him,” as they were led by their leaders to kill the Son of God. How sad, when crowds follow the pathway of error and deceit! [1] The people demanded that Pilate release a murderer instead of the prophet of Nazareth: vv. 1-14, and set in motion the fulfilment of the scriptural prophecies concerning the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. [2] Yahshua is scourged and mocked: vv. 15-20. [3] Taken to Golgotha: vv. 21-22. [4] The Lamb crucified: vv. 23-28. [5] Mocked by priests, people and soldiers: vv. 29-32. [6] Darkness over the land: v. 33. [7] The Prayer on the Stake: vv. 34-35. [8] Vinegar offered: v. 36. [9] Death brings a rent veil: vv. 37-39. [10] The women at the cross: vv. 40-41. [11] The Burial: vv. 42-47. Everything undertaken by the leaders of the Judean Ecclesia was illegal. No witnesses; trials during the hours of darkness; supposed confession out of his own statement; rent clothes by the High Priest – it was all so ungodly, as must have distressed the pure mind of the Lord. Yet, he knew that he was not alone (Jn. 16:32), for the Father was with him, and had answered the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cup of suffering from which he was already drinking since the Upper Room in Jerusalem, was quickly taken from the Son when the important work of cleansing and saving was accomplished on the Stake of Golgotha. Yahshua stood before Pilate, and when questioned, he “answered nothing” (v. 5). He had the power of the Law to call upon, yet “he answered nothing,” because he would not “answer a fool according to his folly” (Pro. 26:4). Thus he upheld the divine righteousness in the face of his blasphemous opponents. Under the pressure of the mob and because of Pilate’s personal jealousy of the priests, the governor released unto them Yahshua to be crucified, for only by such a sacrifice would the “blessing of Abraham come on the Gentiles” (Gal. 3:13-14). They mocked him and “platted a crown of thorns” to reflect the hatred that would cause men to take a thorn bush and make a crown to push it on his head (Mk. 15:17) and so demonstrated the involvement of the thorn-bush at the typical sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. 22). The soldiers smote him and spat upon him (more correctly in the Greek, ‘kept smiting and kept spitting’), which demonstrates the true diabolism of human nature and to teach us to “crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts.” In vv. 24-26 there is a partial fulfilment of Gen. 3:15 together with the fulfilling of Isa. 53:12 (see context). Did God forsake him (v. 34)? Of course not! The prophecy of Psa. 22:1 should be translated: “My El, my El (strength), to what end hast Thou withdrawn Thyself?” The protection of Yahweh had to be withdrawn that the Master might become an acceptable willing sacrifice. Cp. the words of Psa. 34. Darkness blotted out the misery of the Master from the gaping eyes; the unusually quick death that avoided his bones being broken because of the imminence of Passover, brought release from pain. The temple veil torn not only represented the victory of Christ, but also delayed the Passover ceremony in Jerusalem. It signified a number of things, including the wickedness of Israel, so that the worship in the temple was interrupted and could not proceed that Passover. Notice the rent was from top to bottom, for this was nothing that man had achieved but what Yahweh had purposed from the beginning. But the rending of the veil also made open the way into the Holiest of All (the symbol of immortality). By his offering, the Lord fulfilled every aspect of the Law, passed through the veil, that is to say, his flesh and would be resurrected to life. It was a complete vindication of the wickedness of flesh against the righteousness of the Son, and yet, at the end, he alone was the Victor and his alone the Victory. It is in this glorious and powerful moment, that we can have life and have it more abundantly. So he entered into the Most Holy through the Veil, that is to say, his flesh, and became the Mediator of eternal joy for all his people. • Chapter 16 provides the declaration of the Lord’s resurrection and the evidence of the two Marys – faithful sisters, for even in his death they were willing servants. The sad record of Mark’s last chapter is the continued “doubting” of the apostles. The evidence is repeated in the chapter. [1] During the night, Mary Magdalene set out for the tomb: v. 1. [2] She is joined by other women: vv. 2-3. [3] They find the stone rolled away: v. 4. [4] The women enter, and are given a message they do not deliver: vv. 5-8. [5] The immortal Lord appears to Mary: vv. 9-10. [6] Mary returns to speak to the disbelieving apostles: v. 11. [7] The Lord appears to two on the way to Emmaus: vv. 12-13. [8] He appears to the eleven: v. 14. [9] Meeting with the apostles in Galilee: vv. 15-18. [10] To Bethany and the ascension: vv. 19-20. In this we are encouraged, for if these men, including Thomas, were forced to acknowledge the reality of the Lord’s resurrection in spite of the fact of their deep doubts, what a great assurance we receive. Note, the four Gospels need to be harmonised to obtain a clear understanding of the events in chronological sequence (see “Guidebook to the New Testament” by HPM). — Logos