22 October

Bible In 365 Days

Mark 15-16

Mark 15

This chapter is one of those that needs little explanation and must ever be read in awe and reverence. Pilate represented the Roman empire, which attempted to secure itself by its ordinary methods of policy and force, and then fell, crushed and broken forever.

Simon was “impressed," that is compelled to His service; but it is most probable that this man became a devout follower of the Master, and that his sons, Rufus and Alexander, also were well known to the early Christians.

We gaze and wonder at the Cross with a great, strange contradiction and combination of emotion-with sadness as we remember that our sin caused Him the pain unutterable, with gladness as we reverently bathe in the river of His grace.

Mark records the great central cry out of the darkness, and we listen and are overawed! Then "the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." The barrier 'twixt God and man was destroyed. A new and living way was opened to the presence of God. From that moment the Cross admits to, and excludes from, the Holy Place, according to the relation men bear to Christ.

When Joseph of Arimathea went into the presence of Pilate he contracted defilement, which made it impossible for him to take part in the feast that was approaching. That defilement was made deeper by his contact with the dead. Yet no men had such keeping of the feast as did the two secret disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, who dared the ceremonial defilement in order with tender hands to care for the Holy One of God, who was never to know corruption.

Mark 16

How completely all His disciples had missed the meaning of His teaching concerning His own resurrection may be gathered from this story. The women were bringing spices to embalm His body. In spite of their failure, He provided for their reception when they came to the tomb. They found a heavenly visitor.

Mark gives us a very condensed account of the Lord's sojourn on earth after His resurrection. There is a very beautiful revelation of His grace and love in appearing first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

There is a calm dignity about Mark's account of the ascension, which is a very appropriate ending to this Gospel of the Servant. He "sat down at the right hand of God." The Servant of all has taken the place of Chief of all. And yet His triumph is not cessation of activity, for as they go forth to preach the Word everywhere, in obedience to His parting instruction, He works with them, and gives the signs which confirm the truth of their message. Thus the last manifestation of the grace which has been so conspicuous is that He sends us forth to carry on His work; and He is with us.Luke 1:1-80

Luke brings us face to face with the Son of Man and the Saviour of the world. The apostle first gives an account of how he did his work. He then tells of Gabriel's visit to Zacharias announcing the birth of the Herald of the Lord, following it immediately with the august account of the coming of this same Gabriel to Mary, and the great annunciation. Her reception of that announcement was in faith and submission to the divine will. Thus we see her co-operating in the purpose of God.

Luke records the first two songs of the new dispensation, the first being a salutation by Elisabeth of Mary as the mother of the Lord, and the second the great Magnificat of Mary herself.

The faith of Zacharias, which had trembled in the presence of the divine promise, was restored when he wrote on the slate the name of the babe. This was a return from the point of unbelief, and the exercise of will in the appointed way.

This chapter ends with the third song of the new era, and it takes the form of a prophetic benediction from the lips of a priest of the chosen people. It was a song of salvation, and has within it truth - deeper than most likely the singer then understood.