The bystanders that mocked and jeered at Jesus considered Jesus a failure because he was being executed by the Romans, the very people the Messiah was supposed to defeat. Mark wants his readers to fully appreciate that the Messiah, the King of the Jews fulfilled God’s promise to set us free from oppression. Who was correct, the bystanders or Mark?
Mark said the whole area became dark – at high noon! In Genesis 1 we read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Out of darkness came light. Out of darkness came Creation. Out of the darkness on Golgotha comes the New Creation of God’s Kingdom. Mark is telling us that the Messiah didn’t come to defeat the Romans; the Messiah came to defeat the powers of sin, evil and death.
Mark also gives us a window through which we can see a glimpse of life in the new Kingdom of God. We can see an interesting mixture. There is peace, love and wholeness for the people of God. There is also a continuing price the people of God will pay to be followers of Jesus.
Back in chapter 10 the disciples James and John asked Jesus, ““When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” Jesus answered them, “But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” The King of the Jews is on his throne, the cross, and on the right and left of the innocent one are convicted criminals. This reality caused Jesus to pray the opening line of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
God’s purpose for our lives is that we will live in the reality of God’s peace, love and wholeness and so overcome despair that we can proclaim with the Psalmist his closing line: “Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.”
Seeking this reality we call the Life in Christ calls for faith that often seems well beyond our measure. At those times we remember “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
After all, Jesus may have died on the cross, but he didn’t stay dead.
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
19-Nov-11 Mark 15:42-16:8
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