So what have we got here? We have Mark's stark account of the crucifixion, with hardly a word more than is needed. And yet in it, Mark takes us first into the darkness:

• into the cover of darkness
• into the darkness of creation’s mourning
• into the darkness of the judgement of God
• into the outer darkness of the separation between Son and Father for us.

But Mark also draws us out of that darkness into the light:

• into the light of the sunshine of a reconciled creation
• into the light of the accomplished victory of God that has been achieved by Christ.
• into the light of the presence of God for all who come to him through faith in Jesus
• into the light of the glorious Son of God who died for us

As Paul says, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Rom 8:31-32). God gives us all things, including life, forgiveness, and the blessing of an eternity with Christ because Christ went to the place where we need not go if we trust in him.

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Extract from:

(UK) Let the Gospels Preach the Gospel: Sermons Around the Cross, by Christopher JH Wright (Langham Preaching Resources, 2017)
(US) To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary, by Christopher JH Wright (IVP, 2017)

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the glorious light of the Gospel, for giving us life, forgiveness and the blessing of an eternity with Christ.