TI. The evangelist puts upon record CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING UPOW Curist’s DEATH. 1. One incident occurs which is typical of the influence of our Saviour’s death upon the elder, the Jewish, dispensation: the rending of the temple veil. This curtain screened off the holiest place, which was representative of the Divine indwelling, and at the same time of the necessity of a mediatorial scheme by which God can admit men to his fellowship and favour. And when this veil was rent, it was signified that by the death of Jesus, the true High Priest, the way was made open into the presence of a holy God. The distinction between Jews and Gentiles was abolished, and a Divine mediation was declared available for all mankind. 2. The witness of the centurion was an earnest of the world’s witness to the crucified Redeemer. It was the manner of Jestis’ death—the demeanour and the language of the innocent, uncomplaining, forgiving Sufferer, the darkness and the general awe—~ which together produced upon the mind of this Roman officer the impression that this was, not merely no criminal, but no ordinary mortal; that he had been superintending the crucifixion of a Son—the Son—of God. It is significant that, in his death, our Lord effected the conversion of a sinful fellow-sufferer, and the enlightenment, to say the least, of one so little likely to be prepossessed in his favour as this Roman officer. 3. Mention is made of the gaze of some of those who had been, and still were, the faithful friends of Jesus. The mother of the Lord had been led away from the painful scene by the disciple to whose care she had been entrusted by her dying Son. But Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome the wife of Zebedee, are mentioned as, with others, lingering at some distance from the cross, and yet within sight of it, to behold the end. Whilst their services could be of use to him, they had attended his steps and supplied his wants; and now that they could do no more for their beloved and revered Master, they remained near his dying form, to watch with him, to sympathize with him to the last, to hear his dying words, to keep him in sight until the lifeless body should be disposed of, and hidden from them in the earth. Sweet is the thought that, when his disciples forsook Jesus and fled, when he had to andure
on. xv. 1—47.) ‘THE Gusi’tL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 317
the anguish caused by the treachery of one, the denial of a second, and the desertion of others, there were devout and attached women who would not leave the sacred spot, or take their eyes from off the hallowed form. Even by human devotion and love Jesus was not utterly forsaken, was not left utterly alone. Some there were who had proved his kindness, tested his wisdom, profited by his authority during his ministry, whose hearts changed not towards him in the hour of his darkness, anguish, and woe, Memorable is the ministry of those holy and affectionate women, who are recorded to have been “ last at the cross, and earliest at the tomb.”
Appiication. Christ’s death is: 1. To sinners the means of salvation. The Lord paid on the cross the ransom-price of the souls of sinful men; he bore our sins; be redeemed us with his precious blood. Here is pardon, healing, and life, for those who receive the good tidings with sincere faith. 2. To suppliants the assurance of the gracious answer of Heaven to their prayers. “If God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will he not with him also freely give us all things?” 3. To struggling souls the inspiration of resistance and endurance, the earnest and pledze of victory. “Our old nature is crucified with him;” “ Reckon ye yourselves dead unto sin.” 4. To Christian teachers and preachers the theme of their ministry. In this Paul is an example to us all, who exclaimed, “ We preach Christ crucified ;” “ God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Vers. 42—47.—The burial of Christ. The reality of the death of our Lord Jesus has been questioned, at various times and upon various grounds. Some have denied the possibility of a resurrection from the dead, and have absurdly supposed that Jesus only fainted or swooned, and that his recovery from # swoon was reputed among his followers to be @ resurrection. Against all such unreasonable and incredible assumptions the record of the evangelists, who relate his burial, and that in the most minute and circum- stantial manner, ought to be regarded as definitely and certainly conclusive,
L Tse apriicant. Of Joseph of Arimathwa we know only what is recorded in connection with Christ’s interment. In circumstances he was rich. His rank was that of s member of the Sanhedrim; his character is described in the words, “a good man and a just;” his religious position may be inferred from the two facts, that he waited for the kingdom of God and that he was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly, from fear of the Jews, whilst his view of what had taken place with respect to Jesus is expressly put upon record in the statement that he had not consented to the counsel and deed of the priests and elders. His coming forward on this occasion is an instance of the way in which circumstances may bring out virtues, such as courage and fidelity to eonvie- tion, which have long been latent.
Il. THe appiication. The boldness with which Joseph asked for the body is mentioned as something to his credit, for such a step would certainly net commend him to his fellow-citizens and fellow-councillors. As the Jews approved of the burial of the dead in every case, and as it was not considered decent that the bodies of the crucified should be exposed upon the coming sabbath of Paschal solemnities, there was the more obvious ground for this appeal. And it was seemly and honourable in Joseph to wish to rescue his Master’s corpse from the indignity of a criminal’s interment. The pro- curator had no ill will to Jesus, and perhaps took a pleasure in what would offend the priests. At all events, he was amenable to bribery. His surprise was excited by the tidings that Jesus had already expired, concerning which he required to be satisfied by an official report. Whether or not he received money from Joseph, he readily gave permission to him to take possession of the body. In the case of Joseph, who begged the body of Jesus, and of Nicodemus, who purchased the spices and aided in the mterment, we see a remarkable instance of the power of the cross—of the death and love of Jesus—to overcome the fears excited by a regard to the world’s opinion, and by a wish to stand well with the world. The cross brings out latent love and undeveloped courage, and leads to boldness and confession.