Mark 15 & 16
As I read this again I was conscious of the first followers of Jesus hearing and reading this story for the first time. The details, the graphic nature of Jesus’ death and I thought about how this would have been understood by the jews of the first and second century. How Jesus’ death was like so many others that had come across the evil of the Roman oppressors and at times their own religious ledaers. Jesus’ death was like so many others. And I see this is a significant point…Jesus died like many. His dying was what happened to people. What is incredible is the belief that this was God incarnate dying!
That the one God of all would suffer and die like all of us. This is a God who loves by not separating the suffering of humanity from Godself. This was no God on high at Mt Olympus watching from on high. This was no God vengence and wrath who spited humanity. This was a God who identifies with and embodies humanities worst. And in Jesus’ resurrection this God has given a way beyond suffering and death, showing us that God is all powerful and a redeemer and recreator of life.
What a story being told in this chapters of Mark!
And we finish Mark’s gospel with the invitation and mandate to share this story with all the world…and why wouldn’t we…the one God of all loves!!!
