Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

19 March 2025

Reading From Mark 15:26-47

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”

—Mark 15:37-41

     “Jesus breathed His last.”  What painful words to read.  What terrible grief and anguish His family, friends and followers must have felt in that moment.  His resurrection had been prophesied not only in the Old Testament but by Christ Himself, but we human beings have short memories and we get caught up in the moment and forget what the Lord has promised.  We as modern readers know how happy the story ends, but the darkness must have been so deep for the witnesses of the crucifixion of God the Son. 

     There is great significance in the tearing of the temple curtain.  It was sixty feet high, thirty feet long and four inches thick.  For it to tear from top to bottom means that only God could have done it.  Much like the cherubim with flaming swords protecting humanity from eating from the Tree of Life in their sinful condition, the temple veil protected fallen human beings from entering the Holy of Holies in their unworthiness and experiencing the fatal penalty for that. 

Sometimes we are deceived, thinking God is mean and wants to prevent us from experiencing good things.  The reality is that He is a merciful and caring Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us better than anyone, including ourselves.  Through faith in Jesus and by His blood, we gain access to the Presence of the Father, even unity and harmony with Him and we can boldly approach His Throne of grace.  We no longer worship in temples build by human hands, we are His temples and we worship Him in spirit and in truth wherever we are. Faith and trust in Jesus and His atonement makes the celestial kingdom, the very Presence of the Father, the destiny of every blood washed follower of the Lord.

     History does not record the life story of the centurion who confessed that “surely this man was the Son of God.”  I wonder if he went on to be a follower of the Way.  I would like to imagine so, but I suppose that is something that I’ll have to wait to discover when I reach the New Heaven and the New Earth.  In order to be born again, we must accept Jesus as God.  Otherwise, He was either mentally ill or a liar.  I know in my heart that He is neither.  Jesus is God and I place my trust in Him for my salvation and spiritual growth. 

     Many, not some, many of the followers of Jesus were women and this passage shows how important they were to Him and His ministry.  The three mentioned by name here “cared for His needs.”  I would suppose this might have included praying with Him, encouraging Him, listening to Him, fixing Him meals, laundering His clothing and generally sharing life as part of that holy community that followed Him. 

We know that later in the Gospel ministry of the New Testament Church, there were ladies who were prolific spiritual leaders, wealthy women who were benefactors of the local churches, and others who hosted churches in their homes.  Women have always been vital to the growth and spiritual health of the Church.  Those who do not recognize their importance to the ministry miss out on half the blessings they could receive if they would simply embrace and honor God’s work through women.  These ladies mentioned in Mark would go on to be empowered by the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost as they prayed in the Upper Room.

“Lord Jesus, the entirety of history revolves around Your crucifixion and resurrection.  Thank You is not enough to express our deep gratitude.  I pray that my brothers and sisters and I would show our gratitude by living lives that honor Your great Name.  Help us to yield to the work of Your Holy Spirit in us and through us.  May we come to You in faith confessing that You are God, receive all that You have for us, and move forward in the newness of life that You alone provide through Your great sacrifice and resurrection.  We love You Lord.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

—Hebrews 4:14-16