Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mark 15:33--16:8

That Jesus would be able to call with a loud voice is remarkable. What he called is stunning and I'm sure was the greatest agony of the cross. The silence of God here is deafening. "Why have you forsaken me?"

Simon of Cyrene was just passing by but was conscripted to carry the cross and his life was changed. The centurion on the job noted, "surely this is the son of God." His life was changed, too. Joseph of Arimathea was a respected council member. What a week it must have been for him. Was he already sick that he had prepared his grave already?

From the silence of a sabbath with a defeated Messiah to the wonder of an empty tomb -- Whoa -- What a ride for the women and the disciples! Mark stops at the resurrection. "He's not here. Go to Galilee. Period!" Everything changes with that news!

The longer ending is very different from the gospel in style and content. It is generally not considered to be an authentic part of this gospel.

1 comment:

Tiff said...

I've always considered the separation from God the true sacrifice of the cross. There are people suffering terribly every day, but only the alpha and omega alone for the first and only time could suffer this pain. This is what breaks my heart at communion.