The Atonement

Job 26-27; Mark 15-16 

“One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink…With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Mark 15:36-38

The sponge used by the Roman soldiers to clean themselves after using the toilet-bucket was soaked in vinegar and raised to Jesus’ mouth as the final humiliation in his crucifixion. The Creator of the universe went to his own, and his own people did not receive him. He took upon himself our sin, our shame, and our rebellion, and made atonement for us. Our sin, which separates us from God’s holy presence, was placed upon Jesus, like the scapegoat, and he was driven out into the wilderness. With Christ’s death came a loud cry, which John records as, ‘it is finished’. The price has been paid in full for our sin, the blood sacrifice has been offered. With Christ’s death, the temple curtain to the most holy place was torn from top to bottom and access to God’s presence was opened up for those who by faith, receive Christ’s atonement for their sin.

Has this historical event changed our lives?

Will we share this Gospel with our community?

“Lord Jesus, you are my salvation and the hope of the nations. Thank you for dying for my sin, for your glory.”