Today’s chapter is Mark 15

Tom writes:

Jesus died. That idea had become so familiar to me I almost treated it with contempt. If I’m honest each Easter felt like a bit of an non-event until I ate some chocolate eggs. I liked that bit. The death of the Christ was - in my mind - a transaction that won me theoretical atonement, but - if I’m really honest - I didn’t really think about the cross that much. I certainly didn’t feel much emotion about it. Then one thing changed; I became real friends with Jesus. Now, when I read this passage it seems throat-chokingly sad. When I meditate on this narrative today it isn’t a crucifix I’m picturing - it is my friend. In pain. And then dead. I remember seeing my grandfather’s dead body being carried out in a coffin and that scarred my heart. I loved that man. The thought of my Jesus’ body wrapped in cloth, being carried away and put in a cave is almost completely overwhelming.

I know it had to happen and I know that unbelievable amounts of goodness came out of it but so much of my maturing in faith has come when I’ve stopped looking at what came out of the cross and started looking at the cross itself. Mark (and hence Peter) obviously agreed. Mark’s gospel has been described as a death narrative with an introduction. The gospel gives little explanation of the theological outcomes of the cross. The thrust of the narrative is on the events themselves, every damned detail of Jesus’ dereliction and death. I know it’s not trendy, but can I ask if you are making time to dwell on Jesus’ death? Maybe this week you can give yourself 20 minutes just to sit and think of Jesus and his cross? Don’t try and make it a time of feeling guilty, nor even really about worship or theology - just choose to sit and imagine Jesus hung on the tree for hours. There is a deep deep power in finding intimacy with Jesus on the cross. It’s the kind of power that will change your life and never let you live the same way again. It’s a power I long for you to find.

Question for reflection

How do you see the cross?

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Mark 15 - Monday 22nd April