Jesus and His Atoning Death

Text: Mark 15:33-47

Wrath Absorbed (Mark 15:33-37)

• Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath on our behalf, fully satisfying divine justice.
• After suffering in our place, Jesus died in our place.
• Gospel Implication: Jesus absorbed the fury of God’s wrath and entered God-forsaken darkness so that sinners would be accepted by God through faith and repentance.

Access Granted (Mark 15:38)

• The temple curtain signified the veil that was stood between God and man.
• As Jesus died on the cross, He tore the temple curtain from top to bottom.
• Gospel Implication: Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we have access to God.

Identity Declared (Mark 15:39)

• The centurion declares Jesus as the Son of God in the wake of His death.
• This confession echoes the identity statements of Mark 1:1 and 8:29.
• Gospel Implication: Jesus’ title as the Son of God declares who He is and what He came to accomplish.

Witnesses Described (Mark 15:40-41)

• The women who followed Jesus were devoted to Him and His ministry.
• Gospel Implication: Jesus calls both men and women to Himself who He equips for His kingdom purposes.

Death Confirmed (Mark 15:42-47)    

• The death of Christ was confirmed, but it would be short-lived.
• Joseph of Arimathea courageously and unashamedly identifies with Jesus and requests to bury Jesus.
• Gospel Implication: Jesus entered death in order to conquer death for us.