Aftermath. Mark 15:38-41.
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
Dear Ambassadors of Christ,
The things that took place the moment Jesus died to tell us a lot about what his death meant to those around him.
Access (v. 38). The rather casual mention of the rending of the temple belies the momentous, radical change that was occasioned by Jesus’ death. The curtain separated the Holy Place, from the Most Holy Place where atonement was made once a year by the high priest (Leviticus 16:6-19). Jesus’ sacrifice was now enough for all time and humanity no longer needed priests to make atonement for them. Jesus is now our high priest we can come to God through him (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Acknowledgment (v. 39). In charge of the crucifixion would have been the centurion, who must have presided over hundreds of such executions. He must have got used to curses, fear, and all manner of evil expressions. But Jesus was different. The grace with which he died, despite his anguish, set Jesus apart from the rest of the crucifixion victims. What the religious leaders and scholars had failed to see in three and a half years of exchanges with Jesus, this Gentile officer saw after a few hours of observation. His declaration that Jesus “was the Son of God” does not necessarily mean that he understood what it fully meant, but it is a testimony that he believed Jesus to be who he claimed to be.
Afar (v. 40-44). The women who had been with Jesus in his ministry were the only followers to openly identify with him in his public humiliation and death. That they stood at a distance maybe because they were prevented from coming any closer by the soldiers and not because of fear. When courage abandoned the twelve and they fled, the women stood with him. The bravado of the men was of no use at this hour but the love of the women overcame fear. Do you love him enough to stand for him in the face of danger?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.