GOOD FRIDAY: THE DEATH OF JESUS
Mark 15:33-41
33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”
37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
REFLECTION
Jesus was quoting and fulfilling the words from Psalm 22 as he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" In the dark hours between twelve o'clock and three o'clock, Jesus suffered indescribable agonies. Truly, this was a moment that reveals Jesus' humanity and the reality that he carried on a very real, intimate relationship with God the Father. For the Son to have endured such darkness and separation only magnifies an eternal plan of love and restoration.
In addition, the fact that the curtain in the temple was torn in two, from to bottom, at the moment of Jesus' death, is of profound importance to us. Its symbolic significance is made clear through Hebrews 10:20, "By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place." This life-giving way is access to our Mediator, our Advocate. We can boldly go to him for help at any time.
RESPONSE
1. What all do you think Jesus must have been feeling in his humanity when he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
2. How is God's love for us revealed through Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and death?
3. What is significant about the curtain being torn in two (vs. 38)?
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