Mark 15

Mark 15 has so much happening in this chapter. Jesus is arrested, falsely accused, mocked, tortured, crucified, is abandoned and then dies. I remember reading about the "Passion" for the 1st time with the awareness that I caused all of this. I was ashamed and sorrowful. It should have been me. This sacrifice, Christ's sacrifice is what ultimately led to me placing my faith in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Knowing He willingly went to the cross for my sins established an eternal personal bond and love of Jesus.

Years later part of Mark 15 caused me to pause and seek more information. The temple curtain or veil tearing from top to bottom. What did this mean, why was it included as part of Christ's sacrifice?

First I needed to understand why there was a curtain. Until this point man was separated from God due to God's holiness and our sinful choices. The temple was where people approached God's holiness and presence. It had a section that only the priests could access. This is where the Ark of the Covenant existed. A curtain was the physical representation of the separation between man and God. The altar on the outside of the tent was where sacrifices took place, where blood was shed for man's specific sins. This was part of the existing covenant between man and God.

When God establishes covenants with man, bloodshed is part of the process. Christ's death on the cross and the resulting bloodshed was the start of a new covenant. The separation caused by our un-holiness was now removed...thus the curtain being torn gave followers who have accepted Jesus as their savior, full access to God's holiness through Jesus.

Enjoy full access to our creator and Lord! Live as if you know someone special, important and famous. Because Jesus death on the cross does just that for you!

Joe Losurdo | Elder

Joe committed his life to Christ in February of 1994 through attending Hill Country Bible ChurchNorthwest. He and his wife, Debbie, have two married children and four grandchildren. Joe has served in Student, Children’s, Small Group, Assimilation, Benevolence, and Biblical Guidance Ministries. Joe and Debbie joined Hutto Bible Church in June of 2009.