And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid

 

 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.  

 

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

- Mark 15:40–47 

 

On Saturday, we read that, at the Crucifixion, when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"  

 

  There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.   My study Bible comments on the faithfulness of these women.  It says that this shows that in Christ, divine order is being restored to the fallen world.  Whereas Eve was created to complete Adam (Genesis 2:18), but instead led him to sin (Genesis 3:6), now these women disciples remain faithful while the men flee and hide.  It's the women who bring the message of Resurrection to the men (Mark 16:9-11; Luke 24:9-11), therefore restoring that which had been broken through sin.  

 

 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.   My study Bible notes that if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph of Arimathea being both a prominent council member refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  

 

In today's reading, we are given examples of great importance regarding those who persist in quiet obedience and dedicated discipleship.  The women whose faith in Christ keeps them active for Christ even just upon His death, even when the Twelve are in hiding, show us what it is to be truly devoted.  They are not the ones chosen for an outward ministry to be sent out to all the world. Yet, their discipleship has been absolutely necessary both to the story of Jesus -- such as in today's reading -- and also for their support of Christ's ministry since Galilee, from whence they have followed Him to Jerusalem.  Joseph of Arimathea has not been known as an outspoken follower of Christ, but as we're told in the Gospel, he takes courage -- and great courage -- and openly goes to Pilate and asks for Christ's body, so it can be put into a tomb hewn out of the rock.  Think of the care we're told about here:   he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  He also  rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Without this tomb, without this burial, and without that stone, would we even have the story we have about what is to follow?  These women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem, and Joseph of Arimathea, are all doing what they must in such a situation.  They do what is appropriate and right.  They are not considering a revolution, they aren't running out and demanding to be placed in roles of great importance in terms of hierarchy, but they are quietly doing what must be done.  And we must recognize such a place for our own devotion as disciples, and how we are called upon to act under various circumstances.  Sometimes this is all that we can do, and it is the only appropriate thing to do.  But these are acts nevertheless of great courage and tremendous love and devotion, and we must recognize them as such.  It is a glorious thing that these people are memorialized in the Gospel, for so often this kind of humble service is not recognized as extraordinary, but indeed it is necessary and extraordinary.  For discipleship takes on its color and tone through love, not through grandiose behavior or great speeches or even starring roles.  But these are those who act, nonetheless, while others are in fear and hiding, or paralyzed in terror and shock at what has happened to Christ, and that He has died on the Cross.  If not for their devotion, where would we be?  So let us put a high priority on our own capacity to follow in quiet service and duty, doing what must be done, in times of great stress or sorrow or shocking events that may shake us to the bone.  For it is in doing our quiet duty, the things we know are right and must be done, that we place one foot in front of the other in obedience to God, and begin to pick up the pieces of our lives at such times, and find our way to the goodness of God.  Most especially in times of great tragedy, let us follow in their footsteps and look to their example.  We listen to today's text for these small yet greatly powerful acts of compassion and love.   Let us not discount the quiet roles of service, and their absolute essential necessity to the plans of our God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour

 

 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"  

 

- Mark 15:33–39 

 

Yesterday we read that, after His trial before Pilate, they brought Jesus to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.  Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.  And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.  Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.  And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.  With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.  So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors."  And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha!  You who  destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"  Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.  Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe."  Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

 

  Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  The sixth hour to the ninth hour correspond to the hours between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon, the peak time of sun and heat.  My study Bible directs us to Zechariah 14:6-7; Amos 8:9.  These prophets write of the darkness that overcomes Israel.

 

 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  Here Jesus is praying Psalm 22; His words begin the first verse of the psalm.  Without reading the rest of the psalm, Christ's cry of "Why have You forsaken me?" could be misunderstood as a cry of despair.  But we should understand that, as Christ took on our human nature, He experiences our alienation from God in His humanity, knowing our suffering and distress, but He does not despair.  He speaks these words in the name of humanity, my study Bible explains, completely identifying with us in our condition.  In His divinity, however, He is never forsaken by the Father.  The whole of Psalm 22 is a vivid picture of the Crucifixion, but it ends with the note of salvation before the Lord.

 

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.   Christ's death on the Cross is voluntary to the very end, my study Bible says, for even on the Cross, His life could not be taken from Him against His will.  Jesus accepts death on the Cross neither to receive the Father's punishment on our behalf, nor to satisfy the Father's need for blood-justice (as if God would demand such things), but so that by entering death as the divine Son of God, He can destroy the last enemy -- which is death itself (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  My study Bible comments that Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature; He accepts our weakness in order to make us strong; He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin; He suffers in order to transfigure suffering; and He enters death in order to destroy it.

 

  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  My study Bible comments that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and man.  Christ's death, it says, opens the way into the presence of God for all people, giving people access to that which is the most holy of all:  God Himself.  In many Orthodox churches, there is a curtain between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services to emphasize that communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith. 

 

 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"  The centurion is a Gentile.  As he observes what happens, my study Bible says that he realizes that Jesus has dominion over nature, and therefore acknowledges Him as the Son of God.  In the tradition of the Church he is known as St. Longinos.

 

 This centurion, a Gentile (as my study Bible points out) is perhaps the first evidence we get of the appeal of Christ to the pagan Gentiles.  Although Christ Himself said that He was sent only to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," and He instructed His disciples similarly in their first missionary journey (see Matthew 10:6; 15:24), what we see at this juncture is the obvious appeal to one so representative of the Gentiles as this centurion.  He has eyes to see and ears to hear -- for him, as my study Bible says -- the effects of Christ at His death are obvious, so that he declares, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"  The pagan centurion is able to see what those hard-hearted men in the religious leadership have steeled themselves against seeing.  He doesn't share their hatred or venom against One so truly graced and holy that all they can do is fight against Him so that He won't be recognized, and the people seek Christ instead of themselves as leaders.  St. Mark tells us something else that a Gentile perceives which others of the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" do not see, and that is Pilate's sharp awareness of motives among the religious leaders.  In Wednesday's reading, the text told us that Pilate "knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy."  Pilate is able to see what the people, stirred up against Jesus by the chief priests, cannot.  These are just hints in the Gospels of the times that are to come, when Gentiles, who have not hardened their hearts against the coming of the Lord in the Person of Jesus, begin to grasp the divine which is far beyond what their pagan faith can give them.  Perhaps it's true that, having been given so much, we are also free to reject so much, and refuse to open our ears and eyes to the manifestation and fulfillment of prophecy in a form we did not expect, and do not necessarily want.  Perhaps the darkness that was over the whole of the land as Christ begins to die is the dying of the light, manifest in nature.  It covers the land as the people sit in darkness, in a blindness to the light that is rejected here.  But as the light begins to dawn again, others begin to be enlightened, illumined with the comprehension of Christ.  And this, too, is the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah:  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined."   It is, after all, Jesus Himself who tells us, as reported in all four Gospels, that "a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house" (Mark 6:4).  However, we should not discount the thousands of Jews who become His followers as well. See, for example, Acts 2, and the thousands who respond to St. Peter's sermon the day of Pentecost.  Perhaps the lesson we take from today's reading, sad as it is in certain very tragic ways for us, is that God's ways are not necessarily our ways, that God does not conform to our expectations, but it is we who always must be prepared for God, as a light that breaks through our own darkness.  In St. John's Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus that there are those who prefer their darkness to the light (John 3:19).  Let us be prepared for the light that comes in forms we don't expect, and to accept that God's ways are not always our ways (Isaiah 55:8), so that we might look around and truly see ourselves.  

 

 

 

 

THE KING OF THE JEWS

 

 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.  Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.  And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.  Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.  And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

 THE KING OF THE JEWS.

With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.  So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors."  And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha!  You who  destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"  Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.  Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe."  Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

 

- Mark 15:22–32 

 

Yesterday we read that, as the crowds, being stirred up by the chief priests, demanded Jesus' crucifixion and asked instead for Barabbas to be freed, Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"  Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?"  But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"  So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.  And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!'  Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of  the country and passing by, to bear His cross.

 

 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.  Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.  And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.  It seems somehow strangely disjointed from the time to consider that at the Crucifixion of the Man who fulfilled so many prophesies, these soldiers would, in fact, cast lots for His garments, essentially gambling for them.  These are the garments which healed those who simply touched them in faith (see Mark 5:25-34; 6:56).   

 

 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.  And the inscription of His accusation was written above:  THE KING OF THE JEWS.  The third hour corresponds to 9:00 in the morning.  Regarding the inscription, THE KING OF THE JEWS, my study Bible comments that this title, intended as an accusation and mockery, becomes instead a triumphant symbol.  Again, this is an unwitting act of prophecy connected with Christ's Crucifixion, this time on the part of Pilate.  According to my study Bible, it shows that the nation has risen against their own King, and that the cross was the means by which Christ established His Kingdom.  

 

 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.  So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors."  And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha!  You who  destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"  Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.  Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe."  Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.  My study Bible claims that Christ being crucified between two robbers not only fulfills the Scripture, as noted in this passage (see also Isaiah 53:12), but shows that He is completely identifying with sinful humanity.  

 

Once again, we experience the "upside down" quality of this time in which Jesus is led to the Crucifixion.  My study Bible explains the title on the insignia of the Cross, meant to humiliate, and yet it was unwittingly a prophesy, and inadvertently proclaimed the truth about Jesus Christ.   Even so, at the same time, it fulfilled the prophesy, "And He was numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).  Again, the "upside down" quality is present in that Christ is the singular Innocent, free of sin as no one else is, and yet, He's numbered with the transgressors.  In this sense, He bears the sins of the world, although He comes in order to forgive and to redeem.  Notice also how the text tells us that Jesus is blasphemed, by those who wag their heads and tell Him,  "Aha!  You who  destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"  This is the Man who performed many healing miracles, and yet here He's mocked for seemingly failing to save Himself.  The chief priests most notably jeer at Him regarding His incapacity to "save," once again demanding a sign from Him, "that we may see and believe."  It's like they've never heard Him before when He's told them He will not produce a sign on demand (Mark 8:11-12).  Moreover, there is a greater irony here, in that we know the truth -- that Jesus has purposefully gone to the Cross of His own volition and for His own purposes, which they cannot imagine nor understand.  The text also tells us that even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.  But we know that at least one of these men with Him will be saved, and possibly both (see Luke 23:39-43).  But Christ goes so that we will follow.  In His death on the Cross, He will defeat death through His Resurrection and Ascension, human nature taken up into Paradise with Him, and transfiguring human suffering such as is witnessed through such a cruel death.  Those who revile Him cannot see what is happening in front of them, and to the defeat of their purposes in putting Christ to death.  In Galatians 3, St. Paul tells us, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:13-14).  Those who were to uphold the Law inverted both its purpose and letter in putting Christ to death; yet through the use of the law, Christ removes its curse once and for all, and for all humankind.  One really couldn't imagine a more "upside down" vision than the one His detractors have of Him and what He does on the Cross, in His suffering, humiliation, and death.  All of this brutality, injustice, and ugliness is transfigured in Christ, so that He may in turn transfigure us and out suffering and sin -- even the curse of evil -- in our own lives.  All of it is done through faith, and that is where we must start, with Him, and where we must end also with Him.  

 

 

 

Hail, King of the Jews!

 

 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"  Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?"  But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"  So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. 

 

 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.  And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!'  Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

 

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of  the country and passing by, to bear His cross.

 

- Mark 15:12-21 

 

Yesterday we read that, immediately, in the morning following the illegal night trial in which Jesus was condemned for blasphemy, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."  And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.  Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.  And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.  Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"  For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  

 

Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"  Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?"  But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"  So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.  Perhaps partially because of his wife's admonition (see Matthew 27:19) Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent (see yesterday's reading, in which we're told that Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy), and so makes an effort to save Him by repeatedly questioning the crowds regarding Jesus. But eventually he seeks to gratify the crowd.   Here my study Bible comments that Pilate's sin was less than that of the Jewish leaders who delivered Christ to him (John 19;11), for the Jews had the Law and the prophets to instruct them, and Pilate did not.  Pilate was not without sin in that, because of his desire to gratify the crowd, he knowingly sent an innocent Man to death. 

 

  Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.  And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!'  Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.  My study Bible notes here that every king is proclaimed by his soldiers.  Although the intention here is to mock and ridicule, it remains prophetic that Jesus is crowned and hailed as King by soldiers of the governor.  For a similar example of unwitting prophecy, see John 11:49-51, where Caiaphas prophecies, despite his intention, of Christ's redemptive work.  The mockery here in today's reading portrays Jesus as despised and rejected by human beings, who bears the iniquity of all of us (see Isaiah 53:3-9).  Christ is clothed in a royal purple; the Greek word for this color is πορφύρα/porphyra, a color which appeared as a deep maroon red.  My study Bible comments that it represents both Christ's royalty and the sins of humanity which He has taken upon Himself.  

 

 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of  the country and passing by, to bear His cross.  My study Bible notes the mention of Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, and comments that St. Mark likely asserts this here as they were still living and possibly known to contemporary hearers of the time.  It comments that there is a spiritual message here, in that we, like Simon (whose name means "obedience"), are not simply called to carry the cross which Christ sets upon us, but seeing Christ in others, we are also called to bear one another's burdens as well (Galatians 6:2). 

 

In recent readings, we have commented on the "upside down" nature of many of the events surrounding Christ's Crucifixion -- particularly in the efforts to have Him put to death and be rid of Him and His ministry.  Today's reading is no exception that series of observations.  Christ will be put to death quite literally and officially by the Romans and by sentence of Pilate, and yet it is Pilate who knows He is innocent, and even seeks to save Him.  Jesus is here called "the King of the Jews" and yet it is the Jewish religious leaders who seek to be rid of Him, to put Him to death and thus vanquish Him from among their midst.  Even Pilate asks specifically, "Why, what evil has He done?" when the people shout, "Crucify Him!"   But they don't answer, goaded on ("stirred up") by the high priests.  They simply demand, "Crucify Him!" crying out all the more.  Of course, the irony and "upside-down" nature of the treatment of Jesus by the soldiers cries out itself with great obviousness to us.  He is draped in the royal purple of the time, crowned with an improvised crown of thorns to spike and harm Him the more -- mimicking for ridicule the treatment of a worldly king.  He is struck with a reed; a reed is a weak image of a king's scepter, meant for use as a symbol of power, and here reduced to weakness in order to further humiliate Christ.  They even bowed the knee and worshiped Him.  This is again in mocking imitation of the courtly attire and treatment of a worldly king, but little do they know that it is only God who should be worshiped -- and that it is God who stands before them, and whom they treat with such contempt and debased behavior, even spitting on Him to degrade Him as much as possible.  The One who deserves our worship is the One who is silently receiving the hatred of people who don't know Him, and perhaps more importantly, whom He will forgive from the Cross, if they but accept the salvation only He can offer to the world.  What looks to worldly eyes like destruction and vanquishing is in fact the victory of Christ, and will be turned into the deepest victory possible via the power of God from the Cross, in which even death and evil will be defeated.  Human beings can mock and defeat their enemies all they want to, but spiritual reality has its own power and authority, and it will be upheld by God after all things are said and done.  Christ, we mustn't forget, is also the ultimate and first Witness -- the Faithful and True Witness, as it says in Revelation 3:14, and so ultimately is both Witness and Judge.  When we think we see a great defeat and humiliation in the world, we should remember this scene, and know that we may watch lies unfold before us, manipulated by those who hate truth, and seek to destroy the work of God for their own purposes.  We must remember that the "worldly" outlook is capable of great deception, telling us that what is priceless is actually worthless -- and upholding worthless behavior as somehow just and deserved by its victims.  Let us remember this scene and Christ as Witness, for nothing we do is missed by God, nothing is exempt from the awareness of Christ who now has experience as incarnate human being of all that we do and live through, even the effects of evil and lying in our lives, the abuses of power, the cruelty that is useless except to cause harm without meaning.  Christ is witness to it all, and He is truly King above it all, and it is to that truth we must cling, no matter what we think we see, for we also must witness in His name as well. 

 

 

 

Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

 

 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."  And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. 

 

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.  And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.  Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"  For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  

 

- Mark 15:1–11 

 

Yesterday we read that, as Peter was below in the courtyard of the high priest, while Jesus was on trial inside the home, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."  And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"  A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.

 

 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  My study Bible tells us that while the Jewish religious law dictated the death penalty for blasphemers (Leviticus 24:16), of which the chief priests have convicted Jesus in an illegal night trial, under Roman occupation the Jews were prohibited form carrying out an execution.  So therefore, they must get a sentence issued by Pilate, the Roman governor.  

 

 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."  Pilate's question comes from the political charges that have been made against Jesus.  Pilate would not execute a person over religious matters, so therefore the chief priests have come up with a political crime that would guarantee the death penalty.  They accused Jesus of making Himself an earthly king, which would be treason against Caesar (see John 19:7-12).  

 

 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.  My study Bible says that Christ's silence (He answered nothing) fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, in which the Messiah is portrayed as silent while He is led "as a sheep to the slaughter."

 

 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.  And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.  Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"  For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  Pilate is hoping to release Jesus, as he knows He is innocent (he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy; see also Mark 15:14; John 18:38, 19:4-6).  Therefore, he turns to the crowd for support, hoping they will ask for Jesus despite the accusation of the chief priests.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

 

In yet another aspect of the "upside down" nature of the events surrounding Jesus' Crucifixion, my study Bible has a note regarding Barabbas.  It says that the name Barabbas means "son of the father."  But we know that Jesus is the true Son of the Father.  Ironically, therefore, these crowds are given a choice between one Son of the Father and the other.  As the chief priests influence the crowds to choose Barabbas, so they also indicate to which father they belong -- the devil (John 8:44).  This illustrates for us perhaps the power of choosing, and unintended consequences for decisions we make that may not be central to a bad outcome or choice (such as the condemnation and Crucifixion of Christ), and yet nonetheless we participate in a secondary way, through the repercussions generated that affect others.  This crowd is not responsible for trying Jesus in an overnight (and therefore illegal) trial; they're not responsible for the many false witnesses who testified against Jesus.  They're not members of the Sanhedrin, nor are they scribes or elders.  But they are stirred up by the chief priests, and manipulated in a way so as to also participate in the same choices and "energies" of this bad act intended against Christ.  It illustrates for us how even our most small and tangential-seeming choices have meaning, for we choose whether we will participate in what ostensibly serves the good, or what is not good.  Jesus teaches us to be watchful, and to pray always, and such moments of decision are reasons for that admonition.  See Mark 13:37; 14:38.  In the illustration of the name of Barabbas, at this time when Jesus is on trial before Pilate, we have what is possibly a unique example of what heresy is.  For a heresy is something which is not necessarily obviously a lie.  As Jesus gives us the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the tares are a type of weed that closely resembles wheat, and they grow side-by-side, so that it takes discernment to know the difference, and one can't necessarily be taken out without disturbing the other.  So heresy is something that seems to resemble the truth, but it is counterfeit in one way or another, and this is why we need watchfulness, and the knowledge the discern the truth.  It is why the Church has historically held Councils to deliberate and identify heresy, and to give us the truth of Christ and identify for us what is false.  While this crowd may be thinking they are doing something correct by following the chief priests, or perhaps they simply are there to be roused one way or another at the spectacle of this trial before Pilate, Barabbas is a counterfeit hero -- one who claims boldness and daring in seeking to deliver the people from the Romans.  But it is Jesus who is the true Deliverer, and who offers the true salvation for Israel and for all people; He is the Savior.  If we look closely in our lives, we also may be able to identify moments in which things seem upside down, what is taken as true in fact is false, skillful lies and half-truths serving the opposite of the good.  Let us therefore take Christ's advice to be watchful always, and to learn and grow in our faith so that we are aware of what we are about, and not prey for skillful manipulators with their own agendas.  Let us not just follow the crowds, but always follow our Lord.  Pilate offers to release Jesus, but the crowd turns him down.  Let us consider what we choose, and whom we follow, at all times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do not know this Man of whom you speak!

 

 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."  And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"  A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.

 

- Mark 14:66–72 

 

Yesterday we read that they led Jesus away to the high priest after seizing Him in the garden of Gethsemane; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"  But not even then did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing.  Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

 

  Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."   My study Bible comments that a girl being the first to test Peter is an icon of the temptation of Adam by Eve (Genesis 3:6).  It says that our fallen state is overcome in Christ when it is women who are the first to hear, believe, and proclaim the Resurrection (Mark 16:1-11).  

 

 And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"  A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.   St. Peter is so overcome with fear that neither Christ's prediction of his denial (Mark 14:27-31), nor the first crowing of the rooster calls him to repentance.  But only the second time the rooster crowed called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him.  And when he thought about it, he wept.  My study Bible quotes commentary from St. Ambrose of Milan, saying that nonetheless, "through tears, what cannot be defended can be purged, for tears wash away the offense which is shameful to confess out loud."

 

 We all fail in our courage sometimes.  This is the man -- St. Peter -- whom tradition tells us requested to be crucified upside-down for fear of being considered equal with His Lord.  St. Peter also figures prominently in the Gospels as the one who so often speaks for the rest of the apostles, as he will also figure in the story of the early Church, after Christ's Ascension.  So, this same heroic, stalwart, strong, and courageous St. Peter is the man is today's story -- the one who cannot confess his faith in Christ in front of a servant girl.  To add insult to injury, as the expression goes, he's also the one who swore to Christ, after Jesus warned him that he would deny Him, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" (See this reading.)  Neither should we forget that it is the same St. Peter to whom Jesus issued the unforgettable rebuke, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men" (see Mark 8:30-33).  So the life of this exemplary disciple (as one who more often than not might be called "first among equals") is filled with ups and downs, humiliating mistakes and failures, grand triumphs, total exuberance, a great and undoubted love of Christ, terrible heartache and fear, and finally the triumph of a martyr.  This is St. Peter.  But perhaps the best thing that St. Peter gives us is his love that is so strong it overcomes his shame and he returns to Christ and the rest of the disciples.  You see, it really seems that this is the great -- perhaps the greatest -- gift that St. Peter gives to us, to all of us, the rest of the Church, and for all time.  Because St. Peter shows us that, like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we can return to a loving Father, a loving Lord and Master, who does not lose His love for us because we make mistakes and err in our humanity, even multiple times.  It's to St. Peter that Jesus directed the admonition in the garden of Gethsemane, just before His betrayal and arrest, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (see again Friday's reading).  And to St. Peter that Jesus said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31).  We note Jesus' confidence that St. Peter would return, and indeed this man so afraid of a servant girl in today's reading would be the one to strengthen his brethren.  As human beings, like St. Peter, even with his great faith, we may go through our own tumult, fear, lack of courage, and insensibility on a number of occasions and for many reasons.  But we need to remember that our story in the Gospels contains all these facts about St. Peter for good reasons, because in him we find ourselves and our direction for our faith:  we return to Christ.  We always must return to Christ.  For we are meant to overcome even ourselves, to grow and gain courage and confidence in our faith, to strengthen one another, to find our deeper faith, and to move forward.  For it is this deepening of faith that is the true universal mark of discipleship:  we seek to grow toward God.  It matters not at all where we are right now, how well our faith and our strength and our courage is serving is or how poorly.  But what matters is our ongoing deepening understanding and growth of our faith, for our destiny is in Him, and that journey is meant to be infinite.  Let us take courage and know that we are meant for this journey.  Like St. Peter, our failures and even shame may become springboards to greater love and truth, and deeper faith in our future.  For he lived knowing that this story would be told of him -- even that he stood outside reduced to cursing and swearing that He did not know the Man while Jesus was on trial; and he died choosing also to serve the Lord in humility even in death.

 

 

 

 

Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

 

 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"  But not even then did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing.  Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

 

- Mark 14:53–65 

 

On Saturday we read that, immediately, while Jesus was still speaking in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now His betrayer had given the a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."  As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.  And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Then they all forsook Him and fled.  Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.  And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. 

 

And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"  But not even then did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing.  Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.  In today's reading, Jesus responds to the questioning of the high priest ("Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?") by saying "I am."   In Greek, this is εγω ειμι/ego eimi, which is the divine Name of God, as given to Moses in Exodus 3:14.  My study Bible comments that its use indicates a theophany, meaning a revelation of God Himself.  The use of this Name by a mere human being was considered to be blasphemy and was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16; see John 8:58).  But because Jesus is fully god, my study Bible explains, His use of this Name cannot be blasphemy.  Instead, it reveals His unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  My study Bible further notes that only in St. Mark's Gospel is Christ's answer so direct.  Jesus adds, "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  To sit at the right hand of the Power means to share authority with God the Father.  My study Bible indicates that this statement has been clearly understood by the high priest to be a claim of equality with God.  

 

In the story of Christ's Crucifixion we see a repeated pattern in which things look strangely upside down, not working in accordance with the proper order of things.  In today's reading we see that pattern.  There are witnesses called to testify against Him.  Clearly witnesses have been set up to do this, but they are also false witnesses; all lie.  Not only that but despite that this has been clearly arranged, they cannot get their stories straight, so that their testimonies did not agree.  Then some are called specifically to testify against Him regarding His words about rebuilding the temple, as reported in John 2:18-22, in which this image was given by Christ to illustrate His Resurrection after three days.  But even these witnesses cannot keep their stories straight, and neither do their testimonies agree.  So there is this twisted sense to this trial, which happens at night in violation of Jewish law in the first place.  Those who are supposed to testify to something that they witnessed speak of things which didn't happen, or twist words they clearly do not understand and didn't hear themselves, and even their concocted stories don't agree with one another.  To all of this lying Jesus remains silent.  He answers not a word.  Finally, the chief priest asks Him a direct question, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  And Jesus answers truthfully.  He gives perhaps an even more full answer than was necessary, but nonetheless here is finally a truthful Witness at this trial.  He says, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  But when Jesus bears true witness to Himself and the fullness of His identity, He is accused of the most fearsome kind of lie. The chief priest is satisfied, saying, "What further need do we have of witnesses?"  He then charges Jesus with blasphemy, a charge which renders Him condemned to be deserving of death.  Think of it, He is the author of life, our Creator, being assigned to the conviction deserving death by these men meant to be serving God in their capacities in the temple.  The Lord they are supposed to honor, because He has told them the truth, is now spat upon, blindfolded, and ridiculed with demands to "Prophesy!"  The officers of the temple strike Him with the palms of their hands; He is slapped in a manner meant to demean His stature as a Man.  The King of kings and Lord of lords is rendered less than a Man in the eyes and practice of these priests and their officers.  So, we see in this pattern of an evil time what that looks like in terms of its upside-down qualities.  There will be more to come, some striking and astonishing.  But let us consider what it is to be punished for telling the truth, blamed as the worst form of liar when one is in fact innocent, and perhaps we should say The Innocent of innocents, for it is only Christ whom we consider to have been entirely sinless.  But our King of kings and Lord of lords condescends even to this in His love for us, and His saving ministry.  In this we know the greatest beauty of them all, the divine love of God for us which teaches us what it is to love and suffer all manner of humiliation for the beloved.  He is indeed the Christ, the Son of Blessed who has blessed us all through His depth of love for us and fulfilled in all ways the title He bears.