Mark 15:33-41 | 10/12/2025 | Grace Church Fremont

The Gospel of Mark offers a unique, action-packed, and concise account of Jesus’ life, ministry, and purpose. Mark’s intention is clear: to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the one who ushers in the kingdom of God. Unlike the other Gospels, Mark skips the birth narrative and jumps straight into Jesus’ ministry, focusing on his miracles, teachings, and ultimately, his journey to Jerusalem and the cross. The heart of Mark’s message is that through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the gates of God’s kingdom are thrown open to all people—not just the Jewish nation, but anyone who would trust in Christ.

At the crucifixion, Mark draws our attention to three women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Salome. These women are not only witnesses to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but they are also examples of faithful discipleship. In a culture that often marginalized women, Mark elevates their role as the bedrock of the historical account. Their presence at the cross, when most of the male disciples had fled, demonstrates a deep, costly faith—a willingness to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and to serve him even when hope seemed lost.

This passage challenges us to consider what it means to truly know Jesus. It’s not just about experiencing the power of his resurrection, but also about sharing in his sufferings. The process of being conformed to Christ’s image often happens through hardship and loss, not comfort and ease. Suffering, while never pleasant, is a tool God uses to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. It reminds us that this world is not our home and that our ultimate hope is in the resurrection and the restoration of all things.

We are invited to reflect on our own discipleship: Are we willing to embrace the cost of following Jesus? Do we seek transformation into his image, even when it means enduring suffering or embarrassment? The call is not to a life of convenience, but to a life of deep, sacrificial fellowship with Christ, trusting that the reward is far greater than anything this world can offer.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Kingdom of God Is Open to All Jesus’ death and resurrection mark the end of the old religious order and the beginning of a new era where anyone—regardless of background—can enter God’s kingdom through faith. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizes that access to God is no longer restricted; all are invited into his presence. This radical inclusivity challenges us to examine our own openness to others and to celebrate the grace that welcomes us in. [28:05]
• 2. Faithful Presence in Suffering The three women at the cross exemplify what it means to follow Jesus when it costs the most. Their willingness to remain with Jesus in his darkest hour, when others fled, shows that true discipleship is not about convenience but about steadfast love and presence. Their example calls us to stand with Christ—and with others—in times of suffering, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. [33:15]
• 3. Suffering as a Means of Transformation Being conformed to the image of Christ often happens through suffering, not through ease. Hardship presses us into the mold of Jesus, shaping our character and deepening our dependence on God. Rather than seeking to avoid all pain, we are invited to embrace the ways God uses suffering to make us more like his Son, trusting that this process has eternal significance. [41:01]
• 4. Embracing the Emptiness Points Us Home The sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction we sometimes feel, even after achieving our goals, is a reminder that this world is not our true home. Suffering and emptiness point us to the hope of resurrection and the restoration of all things in Christ. Instead of numbing or escaping these feelings, we can let them draw us closer to Jesus and to the hope of his coming kingdom. [51:51]
• 5. Transformation Requires Costly Choices Becoming like Jesus is not a matter of convenience or outward symbols, but of costly, daily choices to say no to self and yes to Christ. Whether it’s public identification with Jesus through baptism, enduring embarrassment, or making sacrifices in our relationships and habits, true transformation demands intentionality and perseverance. The question is not just what we believe, but what we are willing to pay to be conformed to Christ’s image.
  
  ** [54:08]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [21:46] - Men’s Retreat Reflections
• [22:36] - Construction and Upcoming Events
• [22:59] - Understanding the Gospel of Mark
• [24:35] - Jesus as Messiah and the Kingdom of God
• [25:42] - Structure and Focus of Mark’s Gospel
• [26:49] - The Crucifixion: Jesus’ Final Moments
• [28:05] - The Tearing of the Temple Curtain
• [28:52] - The Centurion’s Confession
• [29:41] - The Three Women at the Cross
• [31:04] - Who Were These Women?
• [33:15] - Eyewitnesses and the Reliability of the Resurrection
• [35:56] - The Women’s Faithful Discipleship
• [38:19] - The Absence of the Male Disciples
• [39:15] - Fellowship in Christ’s Sufferings
• [41:01] - Suffering and Conformity to Christ
• [43:27] - Three Questions for Reflection
• [54:43] - Communion and Prayer Response
• [67:29] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Reading

Mark 15:37-41 (ESV) — 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV) — 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Observation Questions

1. According to Mark 15:37-41, who were the key witnesses present at Jesus’ crucifixion, and what roles did they play?
2. What is the significance of the temple curtain being torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death?
3. In the sermon, what reasons were given for Mark specifically naming Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome as witnesses? [[33:15]]
4. How does Paul describe the process of knowing Jesus in Philippians 3:10-11, and what two aspects does he emphasize?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Mark have chosen to highlight the presence of the three women at the cross, especially in contrast to the absence of most of the male disciples? What does this say about faithful discipleship? [[38:19]]
2. What does the tearing of the temple curtain symbolize about access to God, and how does this connect to the idea of the kingdom of God being open to all? [[28:05]]
3. According to the sermon, how does suffering play a role in shaping believers into the image of Christ? Why is this process often uncomfortable or costly? [[41:01]]
4. In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul talks about knowing Christ through both resurrection power and suffering. Why is it important to experience both, and not just one or the other? [[40:25]]

Application Questions

1. The three women at the cross stayed with Jesus when others left. Can you think of a time when following Jesus cost you something—maybe comfort, reputation, or relationships? What did you do, and what was the outcome? [[38:19]]
2. The tearing of the temple curtain means everyone is invited into God’s presence. Are there people or groups you find it hard to welcome or include in your life or church? What would it look like to practice radical openness this week? [[28:05]]
3. The sermon said that suffering is often the tool God uses to shape us into Christ’s image. Is there a hardship or disappointment in your life right now that you sense God might be using to grow you? How can you respond differently in light of this? [[41:01]]
4. The feeling of emptiness after achieving something was described as a reminder that “this world is not our home.” When have you felt this kind of emptiness, and how did you respond? Did it draw you closer to God or further away? [[51:51]]
5. Baptism was described as a public, sometimes embarrassing, step of identifying with Jesus. If you have been baptized, what did it mean to you? If not, what holds you back from taking that step? [[44:40]]
6. The sermon challenged us to make costly, daily choices to say no to self and yes to Christ. What is one specific area where you sense God asking you to make a sacrifice or change for the sake of becoming more like Jesus? [[54:08]]
7. The women’s faithful presence was described as “fellowship in Christ’s sufferings.” Who in your life is going through a hard time right now, and how can you be present with them, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient? [[39:15]]