Mark 15

From the very beginning of everything, humanity was God’s special creation, set apart to be his representative, to care for his creation, to serve and worship him, to know him deeply, and to live in close relationship with him.

And then humanity rejected that identity, which was basically like saying, “No thanks, God. We reject the identity of being created in your image. We reject the important role and high responsibility you’ve given us. We will pursue and serve and worship the image we love most: our own.”

So Jesus — God in human flesh — came to earth, the perfect “image of the invisible God,” to perfectly serve, worship, know, and obey God, that is, to be what humanity refused to be and to do what humanity failed to do.

Think about how breathtaking that is. God loved and saved us, people who do not deserve it, people who actually deserve death and destruction.

We rejected God’s love. He embraced us. We walked away from God’s purposes. He pursued us. We disobeyed God’s direction. He forgave us. We mocked God’s authority. He took us seriously.

And in the person of Jesus, God breathed his last breath for all of humanity because his love for us is indeed breathtaking.

READ & REFLECT

Mark 15

Think about the experiences, words, and actions of these people. Why do you think they responded, acted, or felt the way they did?

Barabbas
Simon from Cyrene
Roman soldier
Joseph of Arimathea
Mary, Salome, and other women who followed Jesus

verses 37-38 (Jesus cries out; the Temple curtain tears)

Today, remember that Jesus breathed his final breath to give you true life, and that we now have direct access to God through the living Temple, Jesus Christ. Talk about what that means to you.

General Reflection:

What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
What do you learn about following Jesus from this passage?

Extra Info

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The Temple had several different courts for certain groups of people. The outer court was for Gentiles. The next court was for all Jews. The next court was for Jewish men only. Then was a court just for priests. And inside that was the most sacred place called the “Holy of Holies” or the “Most Holy Place.” One priest was chosen each year to enter that space on the Day of Atonement. He would sprinkle sacrificial blood on behalf of all the people. A thick curtain (about 3.5'') separated that space from the rest of Temple. When Jesus died, the curtain was torn showing that everyone now had direct access to God through Jesus.

Old Testament References

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2103 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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