Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Mark 15:33-47 (NIV)
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 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, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee, these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
The Burial of Jesus
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.
When did the crucifixion begin to make a difference in your life?
My Redeemer and Savior, I am in debt to Your forgiveness, mercy, and grace. As I matured, I understood that You replaced the animal sacrifices, once and for all, and I was relieved to not have to deal with all that blood to confess my sins. I realized I was forgiven and saved but I never understood the magnitude of what that meant until I actually personalized it. I saw my sins on that cross with You and realized that You suffered that severe brutality to release me from eternal bondage. I envisioned You glancing at me knowingly and lovingly, just as You did to Peter after the cock crowed the 3rd time. It really came to life when I watched the movie the Passion of Christ. I cried deeply about what You endured for me, how evil was lurking and how it impacted me. It hurts me so to know that I was the cause. But it also makes me realize how very committed You were to follow through on Your plan to save me. You loved me so much to intentionally sacrifice Your throne, Your powers, and Your life to fight for my salvation so I can be forgiven and clean to spend eternity with You. It fills my heart with gratitude that You released my debt so I do not have to stand convicted in judgment because You stand before me and present me as innocent, cleansed in Your blood. You went through so much to clear me that I want to dedicate my life to serve You. I want to be close to You and learn more about You in Your Word to please You and have a deeper relationship with You. I want to change all that I do and say to be pleasing to You. All I am and all I have is Yours; You bought and paid for it with Your blood. I am eternally thankful. Amen