Year 8, Day 162: Mark 15

Theological Commentary: Click Here

This is the chapter where the story ends.  In a sense, this is also the chapter where the story begins.  Here we have the crux of human history.

As the story ends, the Jesus we see is remarkably quiet.  When asked by Pilate if He is the king of the Jews, Jesus merely parrots the words back to Pilate.  We faced by the accusations of those who would harm Him, Jesus doesn’t answer.  When mocked on the cross, Jesus takes it.  In fact, that only real time that Jesus speaks in this chapter it is to ask God why He has been forsaken.  The Jesus we see here in this chapter is so focused on completing the mission of the Father that He doesn’t refute lies, He doesn’t cast back insults, and He doesn’t seek His own salvation.  Jesus puts the will of the Father above His own.

Look at what happens in the midst of Jesus’ silence.  What we see happen is almost the prophetic realization when Jesus says that the “rocks will speak forth praise to God should He quiet the people.  When Jesus is silent, a Roman soldier declares Him the Son of God.  When Jesus is silent, a prominent Jewish leader named Joseph of Arimathea comes to touch his dead – and therefore unclean – body only hours before the Passover celebration is about to start.  When Jesus remains silent, Mary steps up and begins to take a leadership role.  In the midst of Jesus’ silence, unsung heroes rise up and give witness to Christ.  As Jesus prepares to die and close the story of God bringing salvation to humankind, the story of the church begins to unfold.

Look what else happens as Jesus is silent.  The religious leaders demonstrate their character.  They continue to insult and deride Jesus even though He offers no defense or fight.  The majority of Roman soldiers demonstrate their vicious nature by insulting Jesus and enjoying the torture they have been asked to inflict.  It is Jesus’ silence that makes the behavior of His opponents so inexcusable.

In the end, when we look at Jesus in this chapter we see a man who is willing to let God’s plan come about.  He goes to the cross to complete the salvific act.  He watches as other people, called by God, step up into leadership to do the will of the Father.  The Jesus that we see in this chapter is the perfect servant, doing the will of the Father in such a way that the Father’s will can be perfectly accomplished through Him and through others.

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