Daily reading

Today’s reading is: Mt. 27:45-66; Mk. 15:33-47; Lk. 23:44-56; Jn. 19:31-42

Video

YouTube video

Matthew Chapter Twenty-Seven

(Outline continues from yesterday)

  1. For three hours, the Father judged the sin of the world in total darkness (Matt. 27:45-50).
    1. For the first time ever, the Lord was no longer in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit (v.46).
    2. The mockers with their mocking are not deterred by the darkness (indeed they revel in it), and continue to mock while waiting for Elijah (vv.47-49).
    3. Having laid down His spiritual life in the death payment for sin, and having taken it back up again, Jesus Christ submitted to physical death in yielding up His spirit to God the Father (v.50).
  2. With the sacrifice complete, God the Father tore the temple veil and shook the earth (Matt. 27:51-54).
    1. The earthquake opened many tombs, and a number of resurrected OT saints will come forth after Christ for a revival ministry on resurrection Sunday (vv.52-53).  This is the “first-fruits” resurrection (1st Cor. 15:23).
    2. The centurion in charge of the crucifixions became the first convert after the death of Christ (v.54).
  3. Four women were also eye-witnesses to the cross (Matt. 27:55-56).
    1. [Matthew] Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James & Joseph; & Mrs. Zebedee.
    2. [Mark] Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James the Less & Joses; Salome.
    3. [John] His mother; His mother’s sister; Mrs. Mary Clopas; Mary Magdalene.
  4. The chapter closes with Jesus’ burial (Matt. 27:57-61) and the security of the tomb by the Pharisees (Matt. 27:62-66).

Mark Chapter Fifteen

(Outline continues from yesterday, repeating Point 4.)

  1. The mistreatment of the Lord (Mk. 15:16-21) and the crucifixion itself are then detailed (Mk. 15:22-41).  Mark is the only Gospel author who gives us the name of the mother of James & John: Salome (Mk. 15:40; 16:1).

Luke Chapter Twenty-Three

(Outline continues from yesterday, repeating Point 2.)

  1. The journey to Golgotha, the crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus is similar to the other Gospel accounts (Lk. 23:13-38,44-56), but Luke alone records the story of the repentant thief on the cross (Lk. 23:39-43).

John Chapter Nineteen

(Outline continues from yesterday)

  1. John alone records the role of Nicodemus in helping Joseph of Arimathea to bury the Lord’s body (Jn. 19:38-42).