Mark 15:1-47

This chapter is one of those that needs little explanation and must ever be read in awe and reverence. Pilate represented the Roman empire, which attempted to secure itself by its ordinary methods of policy and force, and then fell, crushed and broken forever.

Simon was “impressed," that is compelled to His service; but it is most probable that this man became a devout follower of the Master, and that his sons, Rufus and Alexander, also were well known to the early Christians.

We gaze and wonder at the Cross with a great, strange contradiction and combination of emotion-with sadness as we remember that our sin caused Him the pain unutterable, with gladness as we reverently bathe in the river of His grace.

Mark records the great central cry out of the darkness, and we listen and are overawed! Then "the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." The barrier 'twixt God and man was destroyed. A new and living way was opened to the presence of God. From that moment the Cross admits to, and excludes from, the Holy Place, according to the relation men bear to Christ.

When Joseph of Arimathea went into the presence of Pilate he contracted defilement, which made it impossible for him to take part in the feast that was approaching. That defilement was made deeper by his contact with the dead. Yet no men had such keeping of the feast as did the two secret disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, who dared the ceremonial defilement in order with tender hands to care for the Holy One of God, who was never to know corruption.