Invited In

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

INVITED IN

Mark 15:37-39

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

NIV

Much discussion and dispute is surrounding the darkness mentioned at the time of this last breathe of Jesus, although Mark does not include it in his account. We should simply remember that it was darkness, and most likely supernaturally showing once again to those who walked in darkness that Jesus was the light of the world, so when he died, the darkness came. Mark also does not include the fact that at the ninth hour when Jesus gave up his spirit was actually three in the afternoon which is when the paschal lamb was usually sacrificed. Nothing, absolutely nothing regarding the actions of God on behave of his people is by happenstance, it is without question in perfection accordance to his will. Although there was a supernatural darkness that came over the whole region as well as a great earthquake alone with graves being opened and people who had died and were buried coming back to life and walked back into Jerusalem, Mark merely mentioned the event of the curtain, or veil as well as the remarks of a centurion. There is a great important to this veil and surely we have heard sermons about it, but it is a good thing to remember that because of Jesus there is full access to the Father. We are truly now as the high priest and able to enter into the very presence of God. There is a huge difference through. The high priest would be struck down dead if he had not prepared himself correctly with all the right sacrifices and ceremonies while we merely are able to come in the name of Jesus, full of sin and our unrighteousness. What mercy God has shown us. What Charin, grace, that unmerited favor God has bestowed on us, to send his Son to die in our place, to be the true paschal lamb, the sacrifice which completely satisfices the justice God demands for sin. There was no question in the heart and mind of that centurion at this point; he now knew Jesus was indeed the Son of God. What love God has shown us. The veil no longer separates us from him, we are not kept out, but rather we have been invited in.