God’s Plan is revealed as Jesus gives up His life.
The Curtain of the Temple Was Torn in Two
Mark 15:33–41 LEB
As Jesus was going through the final hours, Mark 15:33 “darkness came over the whole land”. He experienced the separation from God that was part of our curse of sin and death. And, then finally expired. This was witnessed by the centurion and many that had followed Him. It was, for them, the end.
But look, Mark 15:38 “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The curtain in the temple covered the most Holy place, where only the High Priest could go once a year, and that with a cord around his ankle for fear of death. The curtain is described in Exodus 26:33 (LEB) And you will put the curtain under the clasps, and you will bring the ark of the testimony there inside the curtain, and the curtain will separate for you between the holy and the ⌊most holy place⌋.
This most holy place was separate and could only be entered after atoning for sin as it says in Hebrews 9:22–24 (LEB) Indeed, nearly everything is purified with blood according to the law, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf,
Our place in the new covenant is secure as it says in Hebrews 10:19–22 (LEB) Therefore, brothers, since we* have confidence for the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Day of Preparation
Mark 15:42–47 LEB
These who were caring for Jesus body, were to be preparing for the Sabbath where they could do no work. Time was short. And, as it says in Mark 15:43 (LEB) Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the council who was also himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came acting courageously and* went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. It took courage to stand before Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus.
Who Will Roll Away the Stone
Mark 16:1–8 LEB
Those who had cared for Jesus where not finished, and came for their final goodbye. These women didn’t know how they could complete the task but they went ahead. They found in Mark 16:4 that the work had been done, the stone had been rolled away.
They were told that Jesus was raised, he was not there. And, to tell the disciples to go to Galilee. Jesus had already said this to them in Mark 14:28 (LEB) But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” which is where Peter said, “I will never deny you”. Now, the message is sent to Peter and the disciples.
He Appeared
Mark 16:9–20 LEB
Jesus appeared to some individually, and then to the eleven together. He commissioned them in Mark 16:15 to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.
Therefore, Go
Matthew 28:16–20 LEB
As they went to Galilee as he had told them, Matthew 28:18 says “Jesus approached them” and commissioned them by delegating the authority he has been given. He said “Go and make disciples of all the nations …”
And They Remembered His Words
Luke 24:1–12 LEB
We don’t always believe, even when the work of God is happening right in front of us. In Luke 24:9 “they reported all these things” and the response in Luke 24:11 was “these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe.” But, Peter’s reaction was different, in Luke 24:12 he “ran to the tomb” and when he saw that it was empty, “went away to his home wondering”. Peter just didn’t know what to do next, even though Jesus had said, go to Galilee.
O Foolish and Slow in Heart to Believe
Luke 24:13–35
In Luke 24:13 “two of them were traveling to a village ⌊named⌋ Emmaus” which is not where Jesus had told them to go. Jesus joined them on the road, but they didn’t recognize him. In Luke 24:27 “he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures”. Then, finally, as they were breaking bread together, their eyes were opened and they saw him.
Sometimes we are slow to understand what God is doing, we may even be on the wrong road, but through his written word, we can get the revelation we need to get us back on track.
Study Verses
- Mark 15:33–41
- Luke 24:1-12
- Luke 24:13-35
Daily Reading
- Mark 15:33-47
- Mark 16:1-20
- Matthew 28:16–20
- Luke 24:1-35
