At Calvary Grace, our women’s group has been studying the gospel of Mark. No matter how many times I’ve read it, I still find the gospel astounding.
Jesus consistently taught his disciples that his mission was to suffer many things, to be rejected and killed, and then rise again on the third day (e.g. Mk. 8:31). But his disciples didn’t know what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it (Mk. 9:32). I can’t really blame them. The whole episode that Jesus undergoes is both too horrific to contemplate and also too wonderful to comprehend. It’s horrific because the blood Jesus shed seems gory to my modern sensibilities, and the payment he made seems unbearable. And yet without blood there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). This impossibly bad news is also paradoxically the best news: every sinful thought or deed that God’s children have ever done (or ever will do) is paid for in full by his “once for all” sacrifice (Heb. 10:10).
Leading up to the cross, the depth of human depravity is starkly juxtaposed with Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. The problem of sin is not whitewashed in Christianity. Even Jesus’ closest companions and star disciples fail him at every turn. The disciples sleep when they should pray. One betrays Jesus. Peter denies him. Nowhere is it implied that if people are given enough opportunity, they can eradicate their own sin problem.
Even the women who knew Jesus best–Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna and others (Lk. 24:10) who traveled with Jesus and provided for him “out of their means” (Lk. 8:2)—were momentarily paralyzed by fear when confronted with the empty tomb. These women would have heard Jesus teaching on his death and resurrection, they were eyewitnesses of the former brutality, and of his burial, but still did not understand that Jesus would rise. When confronted with the empty tomb “they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid” (Mk.16:8).
Jesus disciples were far from perfect. The fact of this is both depressing and wonderful. As I read these final pages in Mark, I’m rooting for them. I want them to do better, and yet, I relate to their imperfections. I’m afraid when I should rejoice. I’m asleep when I should be praying. I’m silent when I should be speaking. But Jesus didn’t come to save perfect people, he came to save sinners.
The religious leaders of the time accused Jesus of blasphemy because “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mk. 2:7) And yet, Jesus freely forgave sinners. Despite the unbelief of the Scribes and Pharisees, the gospel accounts all testify that Jesus is the Son of God, both fully God and fully man, and uniquely qualified to redeem humanity and provide deliverance from the weight of sin.
I’ve been a Christian for many years and I still can hardly grasp the gospel. The cost is both too great and too little. Jesus paid an inconceivably vast debt and I paid nothing at all. As the classic hymn says, “All the fitness He requireth. Is to feel your need of Him”.
Jesus came to save sinners, not those who imagine themselves spiritual superstars. When the religious leaders were angry with Jesus for eating with unworthy people (i.e. “sinners and tax collectors” (Mk. 2:16)), Jesus replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mk. 2:17).
This is good news for imperfect people. Yes, sin is a great problem. But Jesus is a greater Saviour.
