(1) Repeated words:
From yesterday' passage to today's passage, people around Jesus mocked him mostly about how Jesus could have saved Himself or how others could have saved Him. The phrase, "take Him down" is repeated in v.36 and 46.
Another theme that was repeated with or without words is, "God."
a. unusual darkness came over the whole land from noon to 3pm v.33-34. How would anyone explain that?
b. Jesus cried out to God v.34 but the mockers misunderstood Him v.35-36. Obviously, someone did understand Him correctly and thus recorded by Mark.
c. 15:38 And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Note the passive voice of the tearing. How to explain this?
d. 15:39 Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
(BKC) 15:37. Jesus’ loud cry (Luke 23:46) before He breathed His last indicated that He did not die the ordinary death of one who was crucified (cf. Mark 15:39). Normally such a person suffered extreme exhaustion for a long period (often two or three days) and then lapsed into a coma before dying. But Jesus was fully conscious to the end; His death came voluntarily and suddenly. This accounts for Pilate’s surprise (cf. v. 44)...The manner of Jesus’ death, especially His last loud cry (cf. Mark 15:37), prompted the centurion to declare “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
e. 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a highly regarded member of the council, who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Note, Scriptures made it clear that the asking for the body of Jesus was a bold move of a highly regarded member of the council.
(BKC) His action was bold because: (a) he was not related to Jesus; (b) his request was a favor that would likely be denied on principle since Jesus had been executed for treason; (c) he risked ceremonial defilement in handling a dead body; (d) his request amounted to an open confession of personal loyalty to the crucified Jesus which would doubtless incur his associates’ hostility. He was a secret disciple no longer
(2) Summary: Certainly Jesus suffered mocking until His last breath. Yes, Jesus did not come down from the Cross. It might seem like no one helped Him. However, God was not inactive while His Son was being mocked and He was not inactive at His Son's death. He made the day dark, He tore the curtain into half (signified that the access to God was opened now by Jesus), and He made 2 people now recognize that Jesus was the Son of God.
(3) Reflection: In our sufferings it may seem like that no one helps us. The situation did not change. God is at work.
Joseph was a member of the council, but now he boldly associated himself with Jesus. I think he could not hold it anymore because of the truth he had encountered. Are we bold and let people know that we are a follower of Jesus because of the truth we learned?
Audrey
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